VIDEO: West Orange Teacher Receives $25,000 Milken Award

West Orange High School educator Frank Iannucci sat surrounded by his students during what he thought was a routine assembly Friday morning. But, less than an hour later, Iannucci was stunned as all eyes turned to him when he was announced as the latest recipient of the $25,000 Milken Educator Award.

"I don't think I've shaken this much since I first started teaching and had to stand in front of a bunch of high school kids, and I, wow," Iannucci said, as New Jersey dignitaries from the department of education stood by his side, hoisting a large check for $25,000.

The award recognizes the nation's top teachers and is referred to by Teacher Magazine as the "Oscars of Teaching."

"The most important ingredient in your success was an educator that you had a chance to interact with. Good teachers really do make a difference," Mike Milken co-founder of The Milken Family Foundation said to an auditorium packed with students and teachers. "Every one of those Nobel Prize winners had someone put them on that path."

New Jersey Deputy Commissioner of Education Andy Smarick, Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex), Assemblywoman Mila Jasey (D-Essex), Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anthony Cavanna and members of the West Orange Board of Education lined the front of the auditorium as speakers touted the school's achievements.

"This is really an extraordinary school," Smarick said. "On a day-to-day basis this school is hitting home runs, just knocking the ball out of the ballpark on a regular basis."

Iannucci, 33, is one of 22 recipients in the state of New Jersey. The Milken Foundation has honored more than 2,500 educators in the past 25 years.

West Orange High School Principal Arthur Alloggiamento had nothing but praise for Iannucci, now in his sixth year at the high school.

"It's that type of spirit we love about Frank, his engagement with the kids, his connection with them. Kids in his classroom don't want to leave," he said. "It's such a proud moment for me to have one of our teachers be recognized with the Academy Awards of teaching. "

Alloggiamento said he was sworn to secrecy by the Milken Foundation and told staff members the assembly was a special recognition for the school and a special talk on education but didn't disclose the coveted award one of his own teachers would receive.

Iannucci buried his face in his hands as his name rang out across the auditorium to loud cheers and applause by his students and fellow staff members. "This is such a proud moment in my career," he said, thanking his students, his mom and his staff.

He said he teaches his students as if teaching his own 6-year-old son. "I teach: learn to know, don't learn to test."

In addition to the no-strings-attached cash, each recipient will get an opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to meet key legislators in education.

Iannucci began his teaching career in Bloomfield in 2002 after working a desk job and realizing he wanted to do more with his life, he said. After being hired in West Orange six years ago, he was promoted to math supervisor for grades 6 - 12 this year. He insisted on keeping his classes and is teaching two JAVA computer classes and one AP computer science class. He is also developing online courses with the director of technology and is the coordinator of the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program at the high school.