Cassandra Batson, middle school principal and head of the upper school campus at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, has been named Maryland’s 2026-27 Milken Educator Award recipient, receiving a $25,000 cash prize.
Batson was surprised with the award during a school assembly attended by students, staff and community leaders. Milken Educator Awards founder Lowell Milken presented the honor, which recognizes outstanding educators for their achievements and potential to make a lasting impact on education.
Batson is Maryland’s only recipient of the award for the 2026-27 school year and the first educator from Rockville to receive the honor since 1998. The $25,000 prize is unrestricted and can be used however she chooses…