Collin Binko, a fine arts teacher at Jackson Hole High School, is Wyoming’s newest Milken educator. The prestigious Milken Educator Award, “the Oscar of Teaching,” was presented to Binko during a surprise ceremony Wednesday afternoon.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder and Milken Educator Awards Vice President Jennifer Fuller presented Binko with the award, given to exceptional educators in the United States for their outstanding dedication to excellence in education.
He was among 45 teachers selected from across the nation to receive the honor for the 2024-2025 school year.
As always, Milken Educator Award winners don’t know they’ve won until the moment everyone knows. Binko was surprised in front of all the students at Jackson Hole High School, sharing in the shock and uproarious surprise of the moment.
“Collin Binko exemplifies the power of innovative, student-centered teaching,” Degenfelder said. “Through the power of music, Mr. Binko connects learning across other disciplines and builds true community within an extremely diverse group of students.”
Cue The Music
Binko, who earned a Bachelor of Science in music education from Duquesne University, has spent his career enriching the student experience through fine arts.
He’s taught fine arts at every grade level in Teton County School District No. 1, serving as the music teacher at Jackson Hole Middle School before becoming the fine arts coordinator at Jackson Hole High School.
Fuller lauded Binko for the structure of his curriculum, which blends elements of fine arts into core subjects. For instance, students further develop their math and reading skills through his music theory lessons.
“Collin Binko’s dedication and exceptional aptitude for weaving together music, education and collaboration foster an environment where students thrive,” said Fuller, a 2017 Milken Educator from Texas. “His outstanding ability to infuse creative expression into all disciplines is positively impacting his students, colleagues, school and the community.”
Binko has spearheaded several extracurriculars at Jackson Hole High School, including band, choir, orchestra, and theatre. He has facilitated more involvement between the middle and high school students by staying involved at both schools, occasionally finding opportunities for them to work in harmony.
Wyoming’s Milken Educators
Binko is the only Wyoming teacher to receive the Milken Award for the 2024-2025 school year, but several Milken Educators are in the Cowboy State. Since Wyoming joined the program in 1994, 51 recipients have been recognized for outstanding educational success.
Recent Milken Educator Award winners include former Cody High School Principal Nathan Tedjeske and Megan Park, the assistant principal of Gannett Peak Elementary in Lander. They both received the Milken Award during the 2023-2024 school year.
It's more than just an honor and a placard — Milken Award winners receive a giant check of $25,000 they can use however they want. Previous recipients have used the money on continuing education, dream field trips, establishing scholarships and adopting children.
Binko also received a networking vacation at the beginning of April. The award comes with an all-expenses paid trip to the Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles, California, where he'll be able to exchange ideas and experiences with other Milken Award recipients.
When Fuller announced Binko’s name in the Jackson Hole High School gymnasium, he doubled over in surprise. As he rose to accept the prestigious honor, his students gave him a prolonged standing ovation.
“(Binko’s) leadership and commitment to mentoring both students and fellow educators make him an invaluable asset to Wyoming's schools and a most deserving recipient of the Milken Educator Award,” Degenfelder said.
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
