Louis Toffolon Elementary School art teacher Mike Zaba was honored as a recipient of the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award on January 23rd at a surprise recognition program assembly held at Toffolon School. The program was attended by several state and local dignitaries, including Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, and Commissioner of Education, Dr. Dianna Wentzell, who served as speakers during the program. The award was presented by Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President, Dr. Jane Foley. A group of former Milken Educator Award winners from Connecticut were also in attendance.
Zaba is the only award winner from Connecticut this year, and is among 33 honorees across the country for the 2018-19 school year. As part of the award package, he received an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize and membership in the National Milken Educator Network. Through this membership, he will attend a Milken Educator Forum this March in New Orleans. According to the Milken Family Foundation, the Milken Educator Awards are known as the “Oscars of Teaching” and recognize and celebrate innovators in the classroom.
Zaba is also the Head Teacher at Louis Toffolon Elementary School. He earned a bachelor of arts in art education from Central Connecticut State University in 2001, a master’s in art education from Boston College in 2012, and recently received his Intermediate Administration and Supervision certification from Sacred Heart University.
"This award is well-deserved. Mike is talented, dedicated, kind, creative, reflective and humble. I'm pleased that this award will give Mike a national voice to share his talents and the qualities that we value at Toffolon and the Plainville Community Schools. We couldn't be more proud of Mike and his accomplishments," said Toffolon Principal, Lynn Logoyke.
“Mike Zaba is more than deserving of this prestigious award. He is respected by his colleagues and beloved by his students. We couldn’t be more proud of him for receiving this honor that acknowledges his unique and creative approaches to art instruction. Mike will also be acknowledged at an upcoming Board of Education meeting,” noted Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Maureen Brummett.