NASHVILLE (AP) — A Nashville educator has been awarded $25,000 from the Milken Family Foundation.

The Milken Award, which honors top educators around the country, was presented this week to Nashville School of the Arts English teacher Misty Ayres-Miranda.

She teaches ninth- and twelfth-grade students English, honors English and AP English literature, as well as chairs the department.

She also created and directs the school's new Literary Arts Conservatory, designed to provide students with opportunities to perform, write and produce plays and films.

The students also perform with several local arts organizations, such as the Country Music Association and the Nashville Symphony.

In Tennessee, 63 educators have been given Milken Awards since the program began in the state in 1992.

Over the past 23 years, the program has awarded more than $1.5 million to Tennessee educators.