Milken Educators: Where Are They Now? (Part 2)

Dr. Tammy Alexander (AL '98) 

Then: 

Dr. Tammy Alexander was honored as one of inaugural Alabama Milken Award winners in 1998. As a fourth-grade teacher at Lynn Fanning Elementary School in Meridianville, Alexander was the first teacher in her school to implement the Accelerated Reading Program, which later became the model for the entire school. Prior to teaching, Alexander was the director of Girls Incorporated, an advocacy agency designed to help young girls develop confidence and break free of traditional stereotypes.

Now:

Alexander credits winning the Milken Award with several milestones in her career. 

Shortly after winning, she was chosen to join the National Science Foundation's Hands-on Science Program (HASP), which aims to help other fourth-grade teachers develop a more activity-based science curriculum and later became a statewide initiative. She currently serves as director of the AAMU/UAH Regional Inservice Center at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville. The center provides professional learning opportunities for schools in 12 north Alabama districts. Alexander also teaches as an adjunct professor at the university and has earned her doctorate in literacy and reading.

In her own words: 

“I was a member of the first class of Alabama Milken Award recipients. The journey after that has been fast paced and fun.

“As a teacher I (always) knew the impact we have on the world. Teachers pour into students. We believe in them and encourage them to make their dreams come true. That's what my teachers did for me. As a girl who grew up in poverty, I had teachers who told me that I could ‘be whatever I dreamed I could be.’ I know teachers are not seen has the dream givers, the dream believers, the dream encouragers — but we are. The Milken Award reminds teachers that when you ‘think’ no one is watching, they actually are. The award says that you matter and to keep up the great work you’re doing.

“I have left the elementary classroom and moved to the collegiate level where I now impact future teachers — how cool is that? I love the work I am doing; it’s a gift that keeps on giving through the future teachers I serve.”