Magali Turner Named
2026 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow
The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Magali Turner, a 2023 New Mexico Milken Educator and fifth-grade teacher at Ruben S. Torres Elementary School in Deming, New Mexico. Magali will arrive in Fort Scott on June 21st for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.
The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.
Ms. Turner is a passionate fifth-grade educator who is widely recognized for creating a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and motivated to succeed. Known for her enthusiasm for mathematics, she challenges students to think critically while maintaining high expectations that empower them to push beyond perceived limits. By encouraging focus, perseverance, and goal setting, Ms. Turner helps students realize that their effort can open doors to greater opportunities than they may have imagined.
Through creative and engaging instruction, she brings energy to every subject she teaches. Ms. Turner is particularly committed to building strong foundations in math, science, and reading—skills that students carry with them long after they leave her classroom. Her innovative teaching style and dedication to student growth have made a lasting impact on her students and the broader school community.
LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Magali’s enthusiasm for discovering the stories of Unsung Heroes in history will be contagious and will be a great asset as the 2026 Fellows develop their projects.”
While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.