If you ask Garland High School English teacher Alicia Cummings what’s the best part of her day, she’d say interacting with her students in each class period, without hesitation. With 29 years of experience as an educator, Cummings delights in forging meaningful connections with her students, nurturing a passion for reading in them every day.
Cummings’ dedication to her students and passion for teaching earned her the 2024 Branching Minds MTSS Hero award. MTSS stands for Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, a framework that focuses on intervention best practices in academics, behavior, and social/emotional support for students.
Branching Minds honors teachers who significantly impact their students’ lives each year. Cummings was selected from over 200 submissions nationwide. Stacy Carr, MTSS facilitator at Garland High School, nominated her for the award. Carr praised Cummings for her exceptional ability to engage her students in the wonders of literature and her innovative and interactive lessons, which spark their interests and inspire them to learn.
“I get chills every time I think about being told I won the award because it was such a special moment for me,” said Cummings. “It’s one of the biggest honors I’ve ever received, but I always tell my students it’s their award. Their hard work in the classroom and on the STAAR re-tests led to this achievement. I credit them for the win and want them to know they are the real heroes.”
Cummings also received a small monetary gift for winning the award, which she used to purchase items for her classroom.
The MTSS Hero Award is a testament to Cummings’ profound impact on the lives of her students and her unwavering devotion to their success. Her award highlights her outstanding contributions and the importance of fostering a love for learning and empowering students to reach their full potential.
Information and photo provided by Garland ISD.