Alexa Guynes arrived at Dogwood Elementary School on Thursday, ready for another day teaching students, the job she’s wanted since she was a young child.
But the fifth-grade teacher didn’t know the day would be especially rewarding. Guynes received one of the most prestigious awards given to teachers — the Milken Educator Award, sometimes called the “Oscar of Teaching.” The recognition includes $25,000 for the winner to use as they choose.
Despite Dogwood’s students, faculty and staff as well as community members seated in the gym, organizers were able to keep up the mystery by saying they were there for an announcement regarding an early literacy initiative. Even Germantown Municipal School District’s board members were unaware when they arrived why they were really there.
Jane Foley, senior vice president of Milken Educator Awards, engaged students by discussing the importance of educators’ impact. She told them she had a secret, and she flew all the way from California to share it.
When she announced Guynes’ name, the teacher looked in disbelief. She continued to sit, put her hands over her mouth and then began crying.
“What?” she said, as she climbed from the top row of the bleachers down to the floor.
“Receiving this award is honestly the epitome of my career,” Guynes said after the announcement.
“Seeing my babies get so excited about anything just warms my heart,” Guynes said. “To know that it’s for me and they were excited for me, is such a joy as a teacher.”
Foley was impressed by Guynes’ innovative methods. Her class begins each day reading a book, usually a picture book, related to the topics they’re learning. Students said “Book a Day” is their favorite part of class, and during the spring she does a March Madness competition with books.
The district wasn’t allowed to tell her husband or mother, but they rushed to the school when they found out. Her mother ran inside and hugged her daughter, both becoming emotional over the recognition.
Reese Harrison, one of Guynes’ fifth graders had a hunch her teacher might win as Foley explained the award.
“I kind of thought it was her actually,” she said. “She’s so kind.”
“She’s very positive about everything,” Milly Haskins Hunt, another fifth grader, added. “She’s very sweet. … She treats everyone fairly.”
When Guynes was finally reunited with her students, they asked her how she would use the money. They recommended she take trips to Disneyland, Hawaii or Turks and Caicos. She noted the money will likely be spent on her children, ages 5 and 2.
The organization works with state departments of education to determine winners. Milken does not accept applications or nominations. Tennessee Commissioner of Education Penny Schwinn was unable to attend but sent a video message congratulating Guynes. The award is not a lifetime achievement award, and it is typically given to teachers who still have decades left in the profession, according to Foley.
“We hope young people go home and say: ‘I’m going to be a teacher, just like Mrs. Guynes,’” Foley said.
Guynes is the only Tennessee recipient this year, and the first in GMSD history.
“I believe teaching is truly a vocation, a calling,” GMSD board chairwoman Angela Griffith said. “Alexa Guynes is dedicated to teaching her students. … She genuinely approaches every student where they are.”
Griffith attributes the success of own of her own children to Guynes’ approach and talents.
“She directly impacted my family for the better,” she said. “My student is better because of her advocacy on his IEP (individualized education plan) team.”