SILVER LAKE — John Gendron of Silver Lake has earned an Oscar — for education.

Gendron, principal of Elkhorn Middle School, has received the Milken Educator Award, sometimes referred to as the Oscar award of teaching, including a $25,000 cash prize.

Officials surprised him with the national award, which is sponsored by the Milken Family Foundation.

Gendron thought he was planning a school assembly featuring state Superintendent Tony Evers on the Wisconsin Promise program. Instead, he was presented the award.

“It was a 100 percent surprise,” Gendron, 38, said, adding he considers the honor to be more a recognition of the school than of his work.

Most amazing, Gendron said, was hearing from former students he didn’t realize were deeply affected by his work, and from parents and former colleagues who have called to congratulate him.

“The admiration and respect John has earned among students, teachers, administrators and members of the Elkhorn community makes him worthy of this award and one of America’s top educators,” Evers said.

Elkhorn Area School District Administrator Greg Wescott called Gendron a “role model for other building principals.”

A former eighth-grade math teacher, Gendron has been at Elkhorn Area Middle School for six years. He is recognized as a strong advocate for students, an exceptional communicator with parents, and a skilled leader who nudges staff to strive for continuous improvement.

“I love the day-to-day contact with students and teachers,” Gendron said.

Recipients are selected on the basis of numerous criteria, including:

— Exceptional educational talent shown through student learning results.

— Exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession.

— Strong long-range potential for leadership.

— A presence that motivates and affects students, colleagues and the community.

Gendron will travel to Los Angeles next spring with his wife Kristen, a teacher at Riverview School in Silver Lake, to accept the award and participate in the Milken Educator Forum. The three-day forum includes a reception at the governor’s mansion.

The Milken Family Foundation has presented the national award to high-caliber educators for 23 years. The awards program is intended to attract, retain and motivate outstanding teachers and administrators.

Gendron is one of only 26 Wisconsin educators to have received the award since the program’s inception. Fifty educators nationwide are being honored this year.