Educators themselves cannot apply for this award.  Instead, exemplary educators are identified by the Maryland State Department of Education which maintains a Maryland Educator Talent Bank (METB) of exemplary educators.  The individuals recommended for the Talent Bank are considered for State committees, advisory panels, and special awards such as the Milken National Educator Award.  Educators recommended for the METB should be early to mid-career professionals, with five to fifteen years experience in teaching or less than twenty years as administrators.  Their contributions to education should be significant and they should demonstrate leadership, innovative approaches to teaching, and dedication to the field of education.

Hailed as “the Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher Magazine, the Milken Educator Awards were conceived by Lowell Milken, chairman and co-founder, to recognize the importance of outstanding educators and encourage talented young people to enter teaching. Unlike most teaching awards, the Milken Educator Awards have no formal nomination or application process. Each year exceptional teachers and principals can be recommended without their knowledge. The Milken Foundation makes a final decision on its Award recipients.