Affectionately known as “School Mom,” a title she earned through the student council’s teacher superlative nominations, Brooke Bailey personifies nurturing leadership in her role as a third and fourth grade math teacher at Mullens Elementary, where she supports, uplifts and inspires her students each day. This approach has proven highly effective in increasing students’ math proficiency and meeting growth goals.
Serving as a hub of collaboration and engagement, Bailey’s classroom practices cultivate deep, conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills. Driven by research, she encourages students to interact meaningfully with one another and document their insights through reflective journaling, reinforcing key educational concepts. A memorable example of this approach was a mock schoolwide election in which her students explored the democratic process firsthand—conducting research on voting procedures, analyzing campaign strategies, and collecting and interpreting data to connect classroom learning with real-world applications.
Beyond the classroom, Bailey plays a vital role in her school and community. At Mullens, she serves as a Professional Learning Community (PLC) facilitator, mentor teacher, after-school tutor and summer school instructor. She has presented on mathematics curriculum at the district level and remains deeply involved in professional development, sharing insights with colleagues to enhance instruction schoolwide. Equally dedicated to fostering relationships with students’ families, Bailey builds meaningful home-to-school connections that extend learning and support beyond her classroom walls. Her leadership also reaches into the community; she serves as president of the local little league and director of the youth basketball league.
Bailey holds multiple degrees from Concord University: a Bachelor of Science in mathematics education (2009), a Bachelor of Science in gifted education (2017), a Bachelor of Science in elementary education (2022), and a Master of Education in educational leadership (2015).
Press Release: Prestigious $25,000 Milken Educator Award Goes to One Exemplary Mullens Math Teacher
