Johnson Junior High School Principal Brian Cox covers his heart during the pledge of allegiance during an assembly where he was surprised by the announcement that he is the only 2019 Milken Educators Award for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. Cox was told that the assembly was for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow’s discussion on Breakfast After the Bell. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

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Laramie County School District 1 superintendent Boyd Brown introduces guests at an assembly to award Principal Brian Cox with the 2019 Milken Educators Award Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. Cox was told that the assembly was for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow’s discussion on Breakfast After the Bell. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

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Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow talks about Johnson Junior High School’s Breakfast After the Bell program at an assembly to award Principal Brian Cox with the 2019 Milken Educators Award Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. Cox was told that the assembly was for Balow’s discussion, and was surprised by the award. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

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Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow talks about Johnson Junior High School’s Breakfast After the Bell program at an assembly to award Principal Brian Cox with the 2019 Milken Educators Award Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. Cox was told that the assembly was for Balow’s discussion, and was surprised by the award. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

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Greg Gallagher, the senior program director at the Milken Family Foundation, introduces Principal Brian Cox as the only 2019 Milken Educators Award for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. The Milken Award recognizes achievements by early- and mid-career educators while encouraging their future accomplishments with an unrestricted $25,000 award. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

20191210newsmilkenawardeducationmilken educators awardjohnson junior high schoolfirebirdsbrian coxprincipal

Greg Gallagher, the senior program director at the Milken Family Foundation, picks students to help him introduce Principal Brian Cox as the only 2019 Milken Educators Award for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. The Milken Award recognizes achievements by early- and mid-career educators while encouraging their future accomplishments with an unrestricted $25,000 award. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

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Students Rachel Price, John Quigley, Skylar Rohaley, Jorieauna Lipscomb, Avery Brinkman and Khiana Fields hold up signs for the unrestricted $25,000 award given to Principal Brian Cox as the only 2019 Milken Educators Award recipient in Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. The Milken Award recognizes achievements by early- and mid-career educators while encouraging their future accomplishments with the financial award. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

20191210newsmilkenawardeducationmilken educators awardjohnson junior high schoolfirebirdsbrian coxprincipal

Johnson Junior High School Principal Brian Cox wins the only 2019 Milken Educators Award for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

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Johnson Junior High School Principal Brian Cox wins the only 2019 Milken Educators Award for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

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Johnson Junior High School Principal Brian Cox wins the only 2019 Milken Educators Award for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

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Principal Brian Cox, right, is given a large check for an unrestricted $25,000 award as the only 2019 Milken Educators Award recipient in Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. The Milken Award recognizes achievements by early- and mid-career educators while encouraging their future accomplishments with the financial award. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

20191210newsmilkenawardeducationmilken educators awardjohnson junior high schoolfirebirdsbrian coxprincipal

Johnson Junior High School Principal Brian Cox wins the only 2019 Milken Educators Award for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

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Principal Brian Cox, right, hugs Judy Lissman, a 1994 Milken Educators Award recipient, after being announced as the newest Milken Award recipient for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. The Milken Award recognizes achievements by early- and mid-career educators while encouraging their future accomplishments with the $25,000 financial award. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

20191210newsmilkenawardeducationmilken educators awardjohnson junior high schoolfirebirdsbrian coxprincipal

Principal Brian Cox, right, listens to Judy Lissman, a 1994 Milken Educators Award recipient, after being announced as the newest Milken Award recipient for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. The Milken Award recognizes achievements by early- and mid-career educators while encouraging their future accomplishments with the $25,000 financial award. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

20191210newsmilkenawardeducationmilken educators awardjohnson junior high schoolfirebirdsbrian coxprincipal

Principal Brian Cox gives a short statement after being announced as the newest Milken Award recipient for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. The Milken Award recognizes achievements by early- and mid-career educators while encouraging their future accomplishments with the $25,000 financial award. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

20191210newsmilkenawardeducationmilken educators awardjohnson junior high schoolfirebirdsbrian coxprincipal

Johnson Junior High School Principal Brian Cox wins the only 2019 Milken Educators Award for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

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Johnson Junior High School Principal Brian Cox wins the only 2019 Milken Educators Award for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

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Johnson Junior High School Principal Brian Cox wins the only 2019 Milken Educators Award for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

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Principal Brian Cox holds his hands together while talking to the press after being announced as the newest Milken Award recipient for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. The Milken Award recognizes achievements by early- and mid-career educators while encouraging their future accomplishments with the $25,000 financial award. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

20191210newsmilkenawardeducationmilken educators awardjohnson junior high schoolfirebirdsbrian coxprincipal

Johnson Junior High School Principal Brian Cox wins the only 2019 Milken Educators Award for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

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Principal Brian Cox smiles while talking to the press after being announced as the newest Milken Award recipient for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. The Milken Award recognizes achievements by early- and mid-career educators while encouraging their future accomplishments with the $25,000 financial award. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

20191210newsmilkenawardeducationmilken educators awardjohnson junior high schoolfirebirdsbrian coxprincipal

Johnson Junior High School Principal Brian Cox wins the only 2019 Milken Educators Award for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

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Johnson Junior High School Principal Brian Cox wins the only 2019 Milken Educators Award for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

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Principal Brian Cox discusses some of his policies with cameramen from the Milken Family Foundation as the newest Milken Award recipient for Wyoming Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at Johnson Junior High School. The Milken Award recognizes achievements by early- and mid-career educators while encouraging their future accomplishments with the $25,000 financial award. Nadav Soroker/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

20191210newsmilkenawardeducationmilken educators awardjohnson junior high schoolfirebirdsbrian coxprincipal