Commissioner of Education Angélica Infante-Green | Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Kyle Spaltholz, a counselor at Portsmouth Middle School, was honored with the 2025-26 Milken Educator Award during a school assembly on October 30. The event, which Spaltholz believed would focus on the school's positive learning environment, instead became a celebration of his achievements when Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley announced him as Rhode Island’s sole recipient for this year. The award includes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize.
“Kyle Spaltholz’s boundless leadership, resourcefulness, and genuine passion for supporting others elevates everything he does,” said Dr. Foley. “Whether he is teaching, coaching, or counseling, Portsmouth’s students are fortunate to have his guidance as they transition to high school. Congratulations, Kyle, and welcome to the Milken Educator family.”
Spaltholz is the 85th educator from Rhode Island to receive the award since the state joined the program in 1990 and is the first from Portsmouth School Department. He joins a network of more than 3,000 educators who have been recognized over nearly four decades by what is known as the “Oscars of Teaching.” The selection process does not involve formal applications or nominations; instead, outstanding K-12 educators are identified early or mid-career based on their accomplishments and potential.
“Over his tenure at Portsmouth Middle School, Kyle has earned the trust of both his students and his colleagues because of his solution-oriented, student-first approach,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “He represents the very best of Rhode Island educators. I’m grateful for his dedication and know that he will continue to have a positive impact as a Milken Educator.”
The Milken Educator Awards program has distributed more than $76 million in individual prizes since its inception in 1987 and invested over $146 million in building its national network.
Spaltholz works with seventh and eighth graders at Portsmouth Middle School to support their academic and social-emotional growth. His background includes experience as an English language arts teacher and instructional systems coach. He has led district initiatives such as aligning counseling practices to national standards through the ASCA model and implementing technology integration projects like IXL personalized learning.
His efforts also extend to creating supportive environments for students facing life changes due to military family deployments by starting clubs such as Anchored4Life. Spaltholz is active in promoting kindness initiatives like Rachel’s Challenge and leads various student groups including social justice clubs and educational technology clubs.
Spaltholz holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary English from the University of Rhode Island (2011) and a master’s degree in school counseling from Providence College (2024).
Recipients of the Milken Educator Award benefit from mentorship opportunities within an established network aimed at expanding leadership roles in education practice and policy. Honorees will also attend a forum in Washington, D.C., next June to collaborate with peers across states.
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