Surprise, Sydney!
Surrounded by excited students, Sydney Newton, an English language arts teacher at Taylor County High School, reacted to learning she was the recipient of the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award during a surprise ceremony at her school. PHOTO | Joe Ragusa, Kentucky Department of Education
By Wade Daffron
TJ Editor
There’s probably not many “Oscar” winners connected to Russell County.
But Sydney Newton has changed that.
You may remember her as Sydney Fleurdelys, an effervescent, enthusiastic student within the local school system.
Well-known and loved by many, she was active in the color guard, Y-club, and as class president..
She just seemed to be someone who was going to accomplish great things in life.
For those wondering what Sydney has been up to since she graduated from Russell County High School (RCHS) in 2012, she’s become somewhat of a “Super Woman.”
In 2020, and about to be married, she was diagnosed with an “acoustic neuroma”-a noncancerous brain tumor located on the main nerve leading from the inner ear to the brain.
Post-surgery, with determination and a tremendous support system, Sydney raced (literally) to recovery by completing a 5k run, and serving as an inspiration for those suffering similar challenges.
With the heart of a true servant, it’s only fitting she entered the teaching profession.
And that’s where her story gets even more interesting…
Sydney, currently an ELA teacher at Taylor County High School in Campbellsville, has excelled in her career.
How much?
Oh, let’s just say enough that she has earned one of the top honors an educator can achieve.
On Tuesday, December 16, Sydney thought she was attending a school assembly.
“The day began as a normal Tuesday, and I spent the morning with my team greeting students and checking backpacks as they got off the bus,” Sydney said. “We were told to expect an important school-wide assembly where the Lieutenant Governor and Commissioner of Education were going to brag on our school for a pattern of excellent test scores and creating opportunities for vibrant learning. The assembly started as just that, and quickly transitioned to Jane Foley, the Senior Vice President of the Milken Educator Awards.”
“She spoke a little bit about the foundation and explained they were there to recognize and present a $25,000 reward to an exceptional educator in our building,” Sydney continued. “While she was talking, I was reflecting on the amazing staff we have in our school, ticking off many people who deserve such an honor. My jaw DROPPED when they announced my name because I was just excited about someone in our school being recognized; I never once considered it might be me!”
Often referred to as the “Oscars of Teaching” and supported by the Milken Family Foundation of Santa Monica, California, the Milken Educator Awards honor outstanding early-to-mid-career K-12 educators for what they have achieved, “and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities afforded by the award,” Sydnee Flotron, with Milken Family Foundation, said.
RCHS Graduate Sydney Newton, center, posed with a ceremonial check representing a $25,000 cash award from the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award. Celebrating with her was, from left, Kentucky Department of Education Program Consultant Allie Green, Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Jane Foley, Taylor County High School Principal Neil Sanders, Newton, Taylor County Superintendent Robert Braden, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher. PHOTO | Milken Family Foundation
Milken winners receive an unrestricted $25,000 cash award, mentorship opportunities through the Milken Friends Forever network, and an opportunity to attend the Milken Educator Awards Forum in Washington, D.C. to meet and network with new colleagues “about how to further develop their voice into roles that lead to real change.”
Since the initiative’s inception in 1987, more than $76 million in individual financial prizes and more than $146 million have been 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, Flotron said.
Nationally, the Milken Foundation has presented the award to more than 3,000 educators since the program started in 1987.
Kentucky has participated in the program since 1993, and Newton was one of 30 award recipients for the 2025-26 school year.
In earning the prestigious award, a thankful Sydney acknowledged how Russell County helped to shape her life and career.
“I am so honored to be chosen for the Milken Educator Award, but really I owe it to those who have poured into me over the years,” she said. “I was impacted and shaped by ALL of the teachers I encountered, from Salem Elementary to Russell County Middle School, to Russell County High School.”
“I had one high school teacher in particular who stood out, and her name is Laura Davidson,” Sydney fondly recalled. “She was (and still is) the kind of person I wanted to model my life after. She was fashionable, always in heels, Godly, classy, strong, smart, and just the kind of person who made everyone feel like someone. I felt like I could come to her with any problem, and she would help me discover the best solution. She saw my potential, and she pulled out the best parts of me.”
“I knew that I wanted to be an educator and impact someone else the same way Laura impacted me,” Sydney affirmed. “To this day, we keep in touch. She was there when I married my best friend, she visited right after my brain surgery, and she continues to show up for me in big and little ways.”
“I have always said, ‘If I can be the person she was for me for just one other person, I will feel complete,’ ” Sydney said. “Now I have my own ‘kids’ who I get to follow and celebrate for the rest of their lives, just as Laura does for me.”
