Article courtesy of the Milken Family Foundation
Adams State University Alumnus Juan Dominguez, Class of 2010, received a national Milken Educator Award for 2023-24. The award comes with a $25,000 cash prize that Dominguez can use for any purpose.
At SSGT Michael P. Barrera Veterans Elementary, located in Von Ormy, TX, master teacher Juan Dominguez is laser-focused on equipping his colleagues and students with the resources to succeed. Although this is Dominguez’s first year at Veterans Elementary, he is no stranger to the Somerset Independent School District. A former fourth and fifth grade teacher, bilingual lead teacher and mentor teacher, Dominguez harnesses his classroom experience, content knowledge, and firm belief that everyone can reach their potential. A strong relationship-builder with a data-driven mindset, Dominguez serves as an asset to the school leadership team. He helps leverage talent to reinforce strengths and address areas of growth, inspires leadership qualities in those around him, and creates a positive, nurturing environment for everyone to grow.
Through a district partnership with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), Veterans Elementary makes educator effectiveness its core strategy to raise student achievement. Dominguez works with administrators, mentor teachers and fellow master teachers to develop effective instructional strategies, models their delivery in the classroom, and provides regular, real-time feedback to drive continuous improvement. Leading by example, Dominguez attends professional development and spends extra time delving into new technology and educational resources. He received master teacher recognition under the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), which has allowed him to share best practices across the state. Dominguez has opened his doors to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to see his teaching in action.
In every endeavor, Dominguez is inspired by his roots as a bilingual student and first-generation college graduate. The son of migrant farmer workers, Dominguez began a career in food management before pivoting to education. In Texas he went from earning an alternative teaching certificate, to substituting and working his way through several aide and classroom teaching positions in Somerset ISD, to serving as a teacher leader. At Veterans Elementary, Dominguez continues his passion for bilingual education as a member of the bilingual team. Additionally, Dominguez has facilitated a districtwide study of culture called “Feria Mundial,” volunteered to coach sports, translated materials for events and has often lent a helping hand after hours.
Along with the financial prize, Dominguez will join the national Milken Educator Network
Milken Educator Award
The Milken Educator Awards were created in 1987 by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken. The Awards represent the nation’s preeminent teacher recognition program, often hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching.” 2023-24 will reach $75 million in individual financial prizes spanning the length of the initiative and more than $144 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall, empowering recipients to “Celebrate, Elevate, and Activate” the K-12 profession and inspiring young, capable people to pursue teaching as a career. The Awards will reach the 3,000th Milken Educator in 2024.
