Tangier Smith Elementary teacher surprised with Milken Educator Award

Tangier Smith Elementary School fifth-grade teacher John Melandro received a heartwarming surprise at a schoolwide assembly when he was presented with a Milken Educator Award.

The prestigious national honor—created by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken—recognizes exceptional educators for their dedication to excellence in education. Hailed as the “Oscar of Teaching,” the award was presented by Milken Educator Awards senior vice president Dr. Jane Foley, and Eastern Suffolk BOCES district superintendent Dr. Jasmin Varela, and includes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize that Melandro can use however he chooses. Melandro is the first-ever recipient in the William Floyd School District.

“John Melandro’s commitment to education is evident in every aspect of his classroom,” said Dr. Foley, who herself is an Indiana 1994 Milken Educator. “John transforms his lessons into real adventures of learning, where students take charge of the subject matter, set goals, interact with peers, and build self-confidence and respect for others. He brings the same enthusiasm to his leadership at the school, helping to advance action plans, enhance character education and involve parents and families in their students’ exciting journeys at Tangier Smith Elementary. It’s no surprise John is known as the ‘Magic Man!’” 

Melandro’s event is part of the Milken Family Foundation’s 2024-25 Milken Educator Awards season. The tour will honor up to 45 pioneering professionals coast to coast, marking the 3,000th Milken Educator in the Awards› ranks and celebrating a history of changing lives in communities across America.

This season will reach more than $75 million in individual cash prizes since the Awards’ inception in 1987 and over $145 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall, empowering recipients to “Celebrate, Elevate, and Activate” the K-12 profession and encouraging young, capable people to consider a career in education.

“Congratulations to John Melandro on receiving the Milken Educator Award,” said New York State Education commissioner Dr. Betty A. Rosa. “This honor highlights his exceptional dedication to students and outstanding leadership among colleagues. Mr. Melandro, through his innovative teaching practices, inspires his students and fellow educators alike, fostering a collaborative environment that elevates the entire William Floyd School District community. On behalf of the Department and the Board of Regents, thank you for your commitment to excellence in education.” 

“I couldn’t be prouder of John for winning the Milken Educator Award,” said Dominic Ciliotta, principal, Tangier Smith Elementary School. “It is a well-deserved honor for an individual who is a difference maker every day that he steps into the building. Since joining the district, there has always been something special about Mr. Melandro. In our community, we often talk about being ‘Floyd Strong’—John exemplifies this phrase. He is the type of educator who is willing to go above and beyond to meet the needs of not only his students, but their families as well. In terms of his instruction, he is a highly engaging teacher who designs his instruction completely around meeting the unique needs of his students for that year. He has an innate ability to get the best out of his students, and, as a result, they begin to have high expectations for themselves. I have no doubts that Mr. Melandro will be that teacher that his students remember and say, ‘Mr. Melandro believed in me and made me want to become a teacher, too.’ The future is bright for Mr. Melandro and I am glad that I will have a front-row seat for all he accomplishes in his career!”

More about John Melandro

Unlocking the Magic of Learning: Hailing from a family of educators, John Melandro is adept at building relationships and tailoring instruction to his third and fifth-grade students’ needs at Tangier Smith Elementary School. Through his content mastery and passion for fostering student learning, Melandro grows student engagement, enthusiasm and curiosity about the world around them. Known as the “Magic Man,” Melandro turns everyday subjects into exciting adventures by engaging students with innovative approaches and ensuring that learning is an enchanting experience for everyone. 

A Transformative Approach with a Focus on the Future: Melandro’s teaching methods center around building fundamental skills in critical thinking and problem-solving. The many diverse ways through which he reaches students include project-based learning, manipulatives, “think-alouds,” working in pairs and small groups, and incorporating culturally responsive tactics to ensure every student is valued, seen and heard. Students take responsibility for their learning and trust Melandro as a supportive guide who offers constructive feedback and closely monitors their progress for full understanding. Future-focused, Melandro partners with the district’s Career and Technical Education program to provide his students with real-life learning experiences from guest speakers working in the fields of barbering, cosmetology and the culinary arts. These methods have translated into consistently high student performance and growth as measured by NWEA and New York State assessments. 

Leading by Example: Equally committed to expanding his professional development and leadership skills, Melandro analyzes assessment results, creates data-driven action plans, and leads meetings through his involvement on the school’s data team as a grade-level data ambassador. He also has helped implement a new Character Education program in the school as a committee member, and created online learning opportunities as an NYS assessment prep resource for his colleagues. Melandro is a teacher mentor and active in PTO and BOE meetings, contributing to greater parental and community engagement in students’ educational journeys. His classroom is used by teachers throughout the district as a model for observation. 

Education: Melandro earned his Bachelor of Arts in child study from St. Joseph’s College (now St. Joseph’s University) in 2017. He also received his master’s degree in liberal arts from Stony Brook University in 2022.