Spotlight: Alexis Arias (CA '23)

California Milken Educator Alexis Arias has found her calling in alternative education. She encourages students who may not have always had positive experiences at school by addressing the root of their misconceptions about education and helping them realize that their power lies in resilience. Utilizing social media, Alexis advocates for alternative education systems and the students within them. “My goal is to highlight the innovative approaches we use to engage and support our students, demonstrating how personalized learning environments can lead to academic success and personal growth.” Alexis received a 2023-24 California Milken Educator Award in Indio on November 16, 2023.

Milken Family Foundation: How have students responded since your Milken Educator Award surprise?

Alexis Arias (CA '23): My students responded with excitement for me and they continue to spread the word on campus. In my senior studies course it allowed us to lead into a discussion on financial responsibilities as an adult and the considerations one has to make when deciding what to do with a gift of this amount. They showed great maturity during the discussion, and it made me proud to hear how level-headed they would be when considering what they would do with the money. 

MFF: Who are your role models as an educator?

Arias: The type of educators that I look up to have always been the ones who have the gift of guiding their students and colleagues to greatness. I admire their ability to lead with inspiration and support. I have been lucky to have grown alongside many of these educators along my teaching journey and I would not be the educator I am today without their influence. From administrators to teacher colleagues, I am fortunate to have a strong list of mentors who have shaped my teaching philosophy and practices. 

MFF: Tell us about your first year of teaching. 

Arias: The memories of my first year as a teacher are filled with gratitude for the team of colleagues I was blessed with. They were a team of teachers who understood that my growth would return value to them and our students. They taught me so many of the lessons that education programs could not. The memory that most stands out to me is from my very first day. I remember the final class was dismissed and after taking a few moments to catch my breath, a colleague came in to ask how it went for me. I remember saying, "I can't believe I get to do that every day!"

MFF: What do you hope students remember from their time with you?

Arias: I hope that my students look back at their experiences with me and remember the support they received while on their journey to a high school diploma. I hope they can understand that I made every effort to balance high expectations with supportive measures to help them achieve and conquer what they or others doubted was possible.

MFF: Helping students who haven’t always had a positive experience at school is an important part of a continuation school like Amistad. How do you encourage your students to find their own motivation for success and a vision for their future after graduation?

Arias: To encourage my students, I try to begin with addressing the causes behind any negative experiences with education they may have. At the same time, I try to address the misconceptions they may come across about alternative education and help them realize that their resilience is their power. In both my senior studies and English four courses, I incorporate projects that have them create hypothetical futures in which they apply the practiced knowledge or skills from the course in a way that will improve their quality of life. 

MFF: What advice would you share with people who are interested in becoming teachers?

Arias: Before giving any advice to new teachers, I would begin by acknowledging that the decision to become a teacher in our current times is difficult and increasingly less common, and so any reservations are met with empathy and understanding. I would then continue by advising them to be patient with their journey to mastery in teaching. I would warn them to avoid the pressure to be the 'perfect teacher' so early in their profession. Instead, I would encourage them to focus on building depth of knowledge of their students, continuously learning and adapting their teaching methods, and seeking support from experienced colleagues. I want them to remember that growth takes time and that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. By embracing these challenges with a positive attitude and a commitment to ongoing development, they can become effective and inspiring educators.

MFF: Are you working on any interesting initiatives or new projects these days?

Arias: I am happy to be continuing my work as an English four and senior studies teacher, strengthening the course lessons and materials to best serve the needs of my students. I continue to build my social media content as a way to advocate for alternative education systems and our students. Through my content, I want to help build a better understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by students in alternative education settings. My goal is to highlight the innovative approaches we use to engage and support our students, demonstrating how personalized learning environments can lead to academic success and personal growth. By sharing success stories, resources and insights, I hope to inspire educators, parents and policymakers to recognize and value the importance of diverse educational pathways for all students. 

Watch our interview with Alexis Arias (CA '23) on the day of her Milken Award notification: