Maya McFadden Photo
Alyssa Basso teaching her audiovisual class earlier this month.
STEM teacher Alyssa Basso landed a surprise recognition on Wednesday of her hard work making learning exciting and interactive for her students at John S. Martinez School — in the form of a Milken Educator Award, along with a $25,000 cash prize.
Basso, who teaches K‑8 students, is an important part of the Fair Haven magnet school. She has secured community sponsorships with organizations like Trifecta Ecosystems and the Regional Water Authority, providing students with access to resources like outdoor classrooms and pollinator gardens, according to a press release put out by the Milken Family Foundation on Wednesday.
She also teaches the school’s audiovisual production class, showing students how to interview guests, use cameras, and set up a studio. Read all about that teaching work here.
Basso is a leader among her peers as well, taking on administrative and district-wide responsibilities along with mentoring fellow teachers.
The Milken Family Foundation recognized all of this, naming Basso an outstanding educator. The $25,000 is unrestricted — Basso can use the cash award however she’d like.