Lowell Milken founded the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching from his deep conviction that improved teacher quality is the cornerstone of effective educational reform. Witnessing disparities in student outcomes due to variations in teacher effectiveness, Lowell's passion led to the creation of the TAP System in 1999 and NIET in 2005. His commitment drives NIET to invest in teachers through multiple career paths, professional development, instructional rubrics, and performance-based compensation. Over two decades, Lowell's vision has impacted over 350,000 educators and 3.5 million students, transforming education by prioritizing teacher excellence and improving student achievement nationwide.