MSU Alumna In Meridian Named National Milken Educator

STARKVILLE, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) — A Mississippi State graduate with two degrees from the university is the state’s 70th selection for a prestigious national Milken Educator award.

Rhonda R. Burrage, who teaches at Meridian’s Magnolia Middle School, earned a mathematics education degree in 2003 and master’s in secondary mathematics in 2010.

Known as “the Oscars of teaching,” the annual recognition program was established in 1987 by the California-based Milken Family Foundation to reward and inspire excellence in education.

Burrage is among 40 honored this year.

Each award is accompanied by a $25,000 check and, to date, more than 2,600 totaling in excess of $65 million have been presented.

Winners also become part of a resource network to assist U.S. policymakers, researchers and members of the news media and general public on matters involving their respective academic subject areas.

At Magnolia Middle, Burrage additionally mentors first-year teachers, tutors students outside of class and chairs the school’s BETA Club.

She has not missed a teaching day in the past four years.

Richard Blackbourn, MSU College of Education dean, praised Burrage’s selection.

Her achievement exemplifies the quality of teacher education at the 137-year-old land-grant institution, he added.

“We in the College of Education take great pride in this outstanding accomplishment,” Blackbourn said. “Ms. Burrage has worked diligently to perfect her craft, and her students have benefitted greatly from it.”

Jane Foley, senior vice president of the Milken Educator Awards program, also commended Burrage.

“Middle school math can be a challenging subject both to teach and learn, but Rhonda is an exceptional instructor and students are known to thrive in her classroom,” noted Foley, a former public school teacher and principal who holds a doctorate from Purdue University.

Foley also expressed confidence that Burrage will continue to grow as an exemplary Milken Educator and remain a leader in the education field for years to come.