Spotlight: Asia Cunningham (NC '23)

From a young age, Asia Cunningham understood the impact of family engagement on student success.  Her parents worked hard to provide quality education that set her up for a lifetime of success. Now, as principal of Pearsontown Elementary, she consistently advocates for her students' needs and draws inspiration from her mother who modeled determination, grit and accomplishing goals without limitations. Asia received a 2023-24 North Carolina Milken Educator Award in Durham on November 3, 2023.

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

Asia Cunningham (NC '23): Students in my school often tell me how proud of me they are which is so rare because generally, the adults celebrate the children. I also find students are very curious about what I will do with the $25,000. It has been very rewarding explaining to them how integrity is the key to your success and that what you're doing when you think no one's watching sometimes turns out to be a big reward.   

MFF: Who are your role models as an educator?

Cunningham: This is a tough question because I feel like losing my parents early has gifted me with so many mentors and people that I can pick up the phone and call no matter what is happening and I'm able to get support. I believe my current mentor Dr. Greta Dula has had one of the biggest impacts on my life in that my internship as a school administrator turned into a forever lifetime mentor-mentee relationship. I also have to acknowledge our former principal Mr. Rodriguez Teal who allowed me to do just about anything that a teacher could want to do and try in a school. Prior to Mr. Teal becoming my school administrator, we had an interim principal named Andrea Carroll. She was phenomenal as a leader and taught me so much in the short time that she was at Pearsontown. I believe these three leaders are role models for me and I am forever grateful for the leadership that they've poured into my life and the elevation that I received as a result of being attached to them.

When I think about the role models I had as a child, my biggest role model will forever be my mother. She modeled determination, grit and an unwavering commitment to accomplishing whatever she set her mind to do. One particular experience that I believe shaped who I am as an educator was my experience in Miss Betsy Fiedler's fifth-grade class. I can remember going to school and being chastised or teased by other students. I remember the moment I landed in her class feeling seen, heard and cared for daily. She created a classroom culture that allowed all of us to receive the support we needed to thrive. I am still in contact with her to this day. 

MFF: Tell us about your first year of teaching. 

Cunningham: My first year in education I was an instructional assistant. I served under two teachers in second-grade classrooms and quickly discovered my passion and love for learning and watching students learn. One of my memories that stands out is the first time the principal asked me to sub! I was terrified even though I had watched the teacher day in and day out lead the classroom. There was something about being at the front and the students waiting for you and your response to lead them through the day. I can remember going over to Miss Hart’s class to ask her questions to ensure that I was doing exactly what was necessary for those students to make it through the day. I learned about the value of attending the PLC's and working with other teachers to learn my craft through this experience. This sparked my interest in going into other classrooms to visit and see what other teachers and their classroom structures were like. From there, I began to develop my own desire to lead and my own vision of who I wanted to become as a teacher. 

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

Cunningham: I hope the children remember that I was an advocate for them, that I held all adults who encountered them accountable for giving them what they deserved, and that I was the coolest principal on the planet.

MFF: Encouraging parent involvement and fostering community is a big part of your leadership, from Schoolwide Kid Talk community discussions to Parent Night pep rallies. Can you tell us more about your work to engage families in their children's academic careers? 

Cunningham: Engagement is the heart of my work and I believe it roots mostly from my upbringing. Both of my parents were dedicated hard workers. They did not always have the time to sit at the dinner table with me to complete homework or be at the school on an everyday basis to know all the ins and outs of things happening in the school. I believe every day they sent their very best to a public school in a little city in Duplin County. My parents fought to ensure that I received a good education, in hopes that my life would have better outcomes than their own. So, when I think about the children I serve, I’m always encouraging. I think of creative ways for my teachers to engage all parents. I model ways to communicate the academic success of students for my teachers. I model how to push through the conversation and develop a solid plan of success for the student when the conversation is tough. At the end of the day, no matter what home students come from, the educators in front of them have an opportunity to change who they become for life.

 At our school, we often do parent conferences and commit to our cultural subgroups and hosting nights based on those demographics within our school. For example, my Hispanic families have Hispanic Heritage Month, and they host an entire night specifically around their culture and needs. We have clear communication mechanisms that speak just to those families to help ensure that they have a space in the school where their voice is heard. This is also true for the African American students and families. 

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

Cunningham: The advice I can give to anyone wanting to become an educator is that it is a calling and heart work. It is going to require you to go to extreme measures to change the lives of children. You have to be willing to take the risk, know the sacrifices are worth it and expect your dividends to overflow with blessings.

MFF: Are you working on any interesting initiatives or new projects these days? Is there anything else you want to share about your school? 

I am focusing on completing my doctoral studies at North Central University where I am a candidate for a doctoral degree in executive school leadership. I hope to transition into area superintendency and continue to lead other school leaders. 

I could talk about Pearsontown Elementary School all day! What I can say about my school is that it continues its legacy of excellence for students no matter their demographic makeup, gender, sexuality, or economic status. We continue to serve our children with pride. 

Watch our interview with Asia Cunningham (NC '23) on the day of her Milken Award notification: