Pearsontown Principal Receives $25K N.C. Milken Award

Asia Cunningham, principal of Pearsontown Elementary School, received a 2023 North Carolina Milken Award and $25,000 – a first for an educator in Durham Public Schools.

The Milken Educator Awards have been given out since 1987, rewarding and inspiring excellence in the world of education by honoring top educators with $25,000 unrestricted awards. The awards target early- to mid-career education professionals who have achieved much and could accomplish much more in the future.

Cunningham, who lost her parents at a young age and helped raise her siblings, told a crowd at the elementary school:

“I decided to become an educator because I wanted to make sure that people that were in charge of changing (children’s) tomorrow gave their best. I didn’t decide to become a principal, it chose me.”

She told the crowd gathered in the gymnasium that she was grateful to be acknowledged and to bring home the award for her Pearsontown Pandas, but insisted that she didn’t do the work for the accolades: “I do it because my small seed makes tomorrow.”

The Milken Educator Awards site noted that Cunningham “focuses on data-based strategies where she collaborates with the leadership team to monitor, analyze, and develop instructional plans for each student. She sets clear expectations for staff and students and emphasizes the importance of strategic professional development centered around student data and academic growth.”

During Cunningham’s tenure, Pearsontown has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, a National PTA School of Excellence, and a Magnet School of America.

She thanked her staff and the students, repeating the familiar Pandas mantra: “You just can’t hide that Pearsontown pride.”

Amusingly, the award came as a surprise to Cunningham, who was told to coordinate a surprise gathering – only to turn out to be the reason for the celebration.

“I was invited to a party I had to plan that’s for me,” Cunningham said, laughing. “I did not have a clue.”

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