MULLENS, W.Va. — Brooke Bailey, a third and fourth grade math teacher at Mullens Elementary School, is one of 30 teachers nationwide taking home $25,000 as part of the Milken Educator program.
Mullens Elementary was holding an assembly Tuesday morning in recognition of their 2025 Exemplary School Award, so Bailey was surprised when the gathering took a turn.
“Totally shocked that they announced my name,” Bailey said on MetroNews “Talkline.” “I honestly do not feel I am deserving of it, but I am so surprised and so honored.”
“God has truly given me a gift of teaching and I so much enjoy it. I put in a lot of work and a lot of time, and I love these kids, so it does feel great to be honored,” she continued.
Along with teaching, Bailey coaches her children’s sports teams, serves as the president of the town’s Little League, and teaches ministries at her local church.
“I’m just always with kids. It’s just something I enjoy and something that I love doing daily and that’s just always what I’ve wanted to be. I never considered anything different,” Bailey said.
Bailey, the Concord University graduate, says she takes a non-traditional approach to teaching math so she can reach this generation of students.
“I just try to make it relatable and fun. We know our kids these days are not going to sit at a seat in rows of desks like we used to do when we were in school. We are up moving all the time, we are hands on, we are writing on our tables, we are writing on our walls and our windows and we’re collaborating just to try to find things that make it relatable and interesting to them to where they are excited about it,” Bailey said.
“It’s not an easy task keeping engagement for 90 minutes with nine and 10 year-olds. It’s not for the weak sometimes, and I don’t do it flawlessly for sure,” she added.
Bailey says teaching is no easy profession, but it will always be worth it.
“I’m not going to lie, it’s hard with the emotional and mental tole it takes on you, but gosh, there is no reward like when you see your kids succeed, not just on an assignment, but in life,” Bailey said.
Bailey was asked about what she would do with the money she’s earned. She says she hasn’t thought it all through, but some will certainly go towards buying gifts.
“I have no idea,” she said. “It’s Christmas season and I have three kids, so I’m sure that will be a big help to me for that.”
Bailey will join other honorees at the Milken Educator Awards Forum from June 12-14 in Washington D.C.