(Woodbine) Woodbine Elementary School Principal Jill Ridder has been named a recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award, earning national recognition and a $25,000 unrestricted cash prize.
Ridder was surprised with the honor by Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley and Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. The award recognizes outstanding educators for excellence, leadership, and impact on student achievement.
Ridder is Iowa’s 49th Milken Award recipient and the only honoree from the state for the 2025–26 school year. Under her leadership, Woodbine Elementary has seen strong academic gains, with more than 75 percent of students performing at or above grade level in reading or math.
She now joins a national network of more than 3,000 Milken Educators and will attend a national education forum in Washington, D.C., this summer.
More information on Jill Ridder and the Milken Educator Award can be found HERE.
(Photo from the Milken Educator Awards website)
