Interim State Superintendent of Education Dr. Antoinette S. Mitchell joined Noyes Elementary School students and educators to celebrate Assistant Principal and math coach Ariel Horton, who received a 2024-25 Milken Educator Award during a surprise event at the Ward 5 school.
“Exceptional educators like Ariel Horton are the heart of our schools and the foundation of student success in the District of Columbia. Her dedication, leadership, and passion for education exemplify the excellence we strive for in our school communities," said Interim State Superintendent Dr. Antoinette S. Mitchell. “We are grateful for the impact she has on students, staff, and families at Noyes Elementary School and incredibly proud of this well-deserved recognition through the Milken Educator Award. Congratulations, Assistant Principal Horton!”
Presented by the Milken Family Foundation, the Milken Educator Award comes with a $25,000 cash prize recipients can use however they choose. Horton will also receive lifetime membership to the national Milken Educator Network and an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles for the Milken Educator Awards Forum April 1-3. Horton is the 18th recipient since DC joined the awards initiative in 2003.
Horton serves students and colleagues as assistant principal and math coach at Noyes Elementary. Before assuming her current roles in June 2024, Horton spent more than a decade at Noyes as a kindergarten math and science teacher and math coach. A self-proclaimed “teacher’s teacher,” Horton works alongside her colleagues to develop and model effective instructional strategies, analyze data, and coordinate the academic supports students need to reach their full potential.
As a valued member of Noyes Elementary’s academic leadership team, Horton has been integral to the development of Noyes’ Comprehensive School Plan (CSP) and to monitoring progress toward accomplishing its goals. As Noyes’ math coach, Horton leads weekly, collaborative professional development meetings and plans classroom lessons based on thorough review of data and student work.
Horton also serves on the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) team to address specific areas of need, and is K-2 math facilitator at DCPS’ professional development days throughout the school year and during the summer. In addition to her constant presence in classrooms, Horton – who has been PTO president for the past two years – has organized several events to engage students and families.
“Outstanding educators like Ariel Horton not only change lives, but also change the world,” said Mike Milken. “As a teacher, coach and school leader, Ariel is dedicated to ensuring that everyone at Noyes Elementary is put on a path to success. We commend her for the positive impact she has made on every corner of the campus, and welcome her into the Milken Educator Network. Congratulations.”
Horton, who holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degrees in education from Howard University, joins a national network of more than 3,000 Milken Educators spanning the awards’ nearly 40-year history. The Milken Educator Awards inspire educators, students and entire communities to “Celebrate, Elevate and Activate” the K-12 teaching profession and encourage young, capable people to pursue teaching as a career. More than $75 million in individual financial prizes and more than $145 million have been invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall.
Milken Educators are not aware of their candidacy for the award. Recipients are sought out while early- to mid-career for what they have achieved — and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities afforded by the award.
BIO, PHOTOS AND VIDEO: For more information on the Milken Educator Awards, visit MilkenEducatorAwards.org or call the Milken Family Foundation at (310) 570-4772.