Murfreesboro Teacher Raeven Brooks Earns $25,000 Milken Educator Award

You could say Raeven Brooks was born to be an outstanding educator. Raised in a family of educators in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the second grade teacher is now giving back to a new generation in the community at Black Fox Elementary, teaching alongside some of the same teachers whose classrooms she learned in as a child. Brooks holds high expectations for each of her students, combining school data and differentiated instruction to build pathways to success based on students’ challenges and strengths. Brooks’ students regularly meet or exceed the school’s annual measurable progress on TNReady. Today, in a fitting celebration of Brooks’ accomplishments, she was recognized with a surprise national Milken Educator Award in front of appreciative colleagues, students, education officials and media.  

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Commissioner of Education Dr. Penny Schwinn joined Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley to present Brooks with the national recognition, which includes a $25,000 cash prize that she can use however she likes. Brooks will join the national Milken Educator Network of more than 2,800 exceptional educators and leaders across the country dedicated to strengthening K-12 education. She is the first recipient awarded in Murfreesboro City Schools. 

“Murfreesboro City is a district filled with excellent educators and professionals who work tirelessly for the students of our community, and today the rest of Tennessee and the country got to meet one of our very best.  We are so proud of the work Raeven does and for the example she sets for educators everywhere,” says Dr. Trey Duke, Director of Schools. “As a former Milken honoree, I understand the impact this recognition can bring, and I am thrilled to welcome a fellow Murfreesboro City employee into this amazing groups of educators.” 

For full bio, photos and video, visit https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/raeven-brooks