Birmingham teacher surprised with $25,000 Milken Educator Award

by Kalyn Dunkins

Korri Cunningham, a teacher at John Herbert Phillips Academy, was surprised with the prestigious Milken Educator Award. Cunningham, the sole Alabama recipient this season, is among up to 75 recipients across the country this school year who will be awarded as part of the Milken Family. (Photo: The Milken Family)

Korri Cunningham, a teacher at John Herbert Phillips Academy, was surprised with the prestigious Milken Educator Award this morning.

The Milken Educator Award is national recognition that has been referred to by many as “the Oscars of teaching.” Created by Lowell Milken in 1987, the award publicly recognizes excellence in teaching not only to inspire educators, but also students and communities to “celebrate, elevate and activate” the K-12 teaching profession.

Milken recipients do not apply to receive the award. Candidates are sourced through a confidential selection process and then reviewed by blue ribbon panels appointed by state departments of education. Those most exceptional are recommended for the award, with final approval by the Milken Family Foundation.

“I knew that I wanted to become a teacher in Kindergarten,” Cunningham said during her acceptance speech. “My teacher had such an impact on my life, and I spent a lot of my nap time just studying her. I knew I needed to be just like her. She treated each of us like we were her world.”

The award includes $25,000 for the recipient to spend as they choose, in addition to an all-expense paid trip to an educational forum in Los Angeles in June to meet other Milken winners.

Several of Alabama’s past Milken Educator Award winners attended the surprise program. State Superintendent Eric Mackey and Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Mark Sullivan were also in attendance.

Stephanie Bishop, Milken Educator Awards Vice President and former 2001 Milken Educator Award winner, presented Cunningham with the award.

“Korri Cunningham’s remarkable leadership, resourcefulness and ability to build solid relationships have made her a trusted, respected leader in the school and district,” said Bishop. “I am honored to welcome Korri to the Milken Educator Network, and to celebrate both her achievements today and potential to positively impact the profession for decades to come.”

Cunningham, the sole Alabama recipient this season, is among up to 75 recipients across the country this school year who will be awarded as part of the Milken Family.

“I’m so grateful to work alongside all of my colleagues, all of the teachers, support staff–everyone,” Cunningham said. “And all of the students. You guys make me a better person.”

Cunningham earned an Associate of Art in English from Lawson State Community College in 2011, a Bachelor of Science in secondary education-English from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2015, and a Master of Education in instructional leadership from the University of West Alabama in 2021.

To watch the livestream of the awards ceremony from this morning, visit this link. For more about Cunningham and her background, see her profile on the official Milken Educator Awards page.

This story was originally written and published for AL.com.