To promote educational excellence, the Alabama Education Association serves as an advocate for its members and leads the advancement of equitable and quality public education in Alabama.
Pike County Educator Wins Esteemed Milken Award
Pike County educator and AEA member Christian Stanley has been named Alabama’s newest Milken Educator, receiving the $25,000 that comes with winning the prestigious Milken Educator Award.
Stanley has been an educator for 5 years and teaches at the Pike County Agriscience Academy, the only dual-enrollment agriscience program in the state of Alabama. His commitment to education has made a significant impact on his students and the local community.
On December 9, 2025, Stanley attended a school ceremony he thought would honor the agriscience program’s achievements. Instead, he was surprised to find all the students, faculty, staff, media, and state leaders were gathered to celebrate him. Stanley is one of 30 recipients of the award for the 2025-2026 school year and is the only Milken Award recipient for the state of Alabama. “The moment I heard my name, I was just awestruck,” Stanley said. “I really didn’t know what to think.”
Stanley’s program serves students in 10th-12th grade, and upon completion, they graduate with a short-term certificate or an associate degree. Because his students are with him for such a long time, he is able to cultivate meaningful relationships with them that extend far beyond the classroom.
Growing up, Stanley was inspired by the impact his agriculture teacher had on him throughout his own education journey. He entered the profession in hopes of cultivating those same dreams in his own students one day. Now, not only do his students see him as an educator, but also as a mentor who can help them reach their goals. “The greatest thing that I hear is whenever a student says to me that they want to be a teacher like me,” Stanley said.
Stanley emphasizes the importance of Career Technical Education (CTE) in creating well-rounded students. While his primary focus is teaching college and career readiness, he also ensures his students leave his classroom with discipline, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to get their hands dirty. He also teaches them public speaking and interview skills. “Ultimately, as educators, our primary goal and focus is to create good, responsible citizens, good members of our state,” Stanley said. “Career Technical Education is an excellent way to be able to do that.”
Often referred to as the “Oscars of teaching,” the Milken Educator Awards recognize early- to mid-career education professionals for their impressive achievements and the promise of what they will accomplish in the future. Since 1987, the program has recognized and inspired excellence in education by honoring top educators across the country with $25,000 unrestricted awards. Educators cannot apply for the award and are instead selected by state education leaders and the Milken Family Foundation. “I didn’t do anything that’s any different than what any other educator does in this state,” Stanley said. “I show up every day and work hard and pour my heart out for my kids, and that’s ultimately what every single one of us does as educators.”
In addition to the monetary reward, new recipients join the Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 3,000 distinguished educators and leaders from across the country who help shape the future of education. Recipients also gain access to a variety of powerful mentorship opportunities to expand into leadership roles that strengthen education practice and policy. “I think that it’s important to be able to recognize and award excellent educators because educators ultimately are the people who create the next generation of excellent leaders within this country,” Stanley said.
Stanley encourages his fellow early-career educators to push through the difficulties the first few years of the profession can bring. Recalling his own learning curve as he discovered effective ways to manage a classroom, structure a lesson, and teach his content, he hopes they continue to show up each day and make a difference in their students’ lives. “You’re still trying to figure everything out, so you may not see that impact immediately,” Stanley said. “But as you continue on, you really see the impact on not just your students but your community as well.”