ROCK HILL, S.C. – December 9, 2025 – The Riverwalk Academy community erupted in cheers today as Principal Erica McCray was named a recipient of the 2025 Milken Educator Award, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors in education, often dubbed the “Oscars of Teaching.” The surprise announcement, which included an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize, took place during a special school assembly.
Ms. McCray, the Elementary Principal at Riverwalk Academy, was caught completely off guard by the news. The award was presented by South Carolina Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver and Dr. Joshua Barnett, CEO of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, representing the Milken Family Foundation.
A Leader Committed to Growth and Innovation
Ms. McCray was honored for her exceptional leadership, her commitment to fostering a strong school culture, and the remarkable academic growth seen at Riverwalk Academy under her guidance. She is the 65th educator from South Carolina to receive the Milken Educator Award since the state joined the initiative in 1994.
“With vision, heart and leading by example, Principal Erica McCray cultivates a school where students and educators alike are valued, supported and inspired to grow,” said Dr. Barnett. “We commend Erica on her dedication to high-quality instruction, ownership of learning, strong parent-teacher relationships, and whole-child success.”
Superintendent Weaver highlighted McCray’s impact, stating, “Principal McCray embodies the innovation and collaborative spirit powering the South Carolina Surge. Her work engaging students through project-based learning, empowering teachers to use real-time data, and building meaningful family partnerships is fueling remarkable growth at Riverwalk Academy.”
A Teacher’s Principal
Ms. McCray’s leadership is rooted in her experience as a classroom teacher and literacy coach. She was instrumental in transitioning Riverwalk Academy to prioritize project-based learning (PBL), utilizing the educator effectiveness model from the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) to support her faculty.
Her efforts have led to:
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Student-Led Learning: Students take ownership of their education through exciting community-centered projects.
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Teacher Empowerment: Teachers are encouraged to use real-time data to drive instruction and work in targeted small groups.
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Culture Improvement: McCray’s work contributed to increasing and maintaining a high teacher retention rate and earned the school the Palmetto Silver Award in 2023-24 for improved writing benchmarks.
Dr. Robert Compton, Head of School, shared his pride, “Ms. McCray embodies everything that makes education transformational: heart, skill, and an unwavering belief in her students and staff. We are incredibly proud to see her honored on a national stage.”
Lifelong Recognition and Network
The Milken Educator Award recognizes early-to-mid-career educators for their achievements and promise. In addition to the $25,000 prize, Ms. McCray will gain lifelong access to the national Milken Educator Network, which includes more than 3,000 distinguished professionals.
She will also attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Awards Forum in Washington, D.C., in June 2026, where she will collaborate with her new colleagues on strengthening education practice and policy.
Upon receiving the honor, an emotional Ms. McCray shared, “I am honored to receive the Milken Award. This recognition means so much, and I am grateful for my students, colleagues, and community who inspire me every day.”
Riverwalk Academy extends its heartfelt congratulations to Ms. McCray on this extraordinary and well-deserved achievement.
Click here for the full media release from the Milken Family Foundation
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