South Alum Receives National Teaching Award

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Posted on January 31, 2025

Marketing and Communications

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Gilly Gator, the costumed mascot of Gilliard Elementary School in Mobile, entertained students and staff on Jan. 30 as they gathered for a morning assembly. The crowd buzzed with curiosity. Why all the well-dressed adult visitors and the TV cameras? Was that Dr. Eric G. Mackey, the state superintendent of education? (Spoiler: It was.) What’s going on?

Then came the announcement: Fifth-grade math and science teacher Mary Travis — the woman in the Gilly Gator costume — was the sole Alabama winner of a 2024-25 Milken Educator Award. She is in her 10th year at Gilliard and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of South Alabama in 2011.

The national award, nicknamed the Oscars of teaching, carries a $25,000 cash prize. This year, it will go to up to 45 U.S. K-12 teachers, principals and specialists — each of them taken by surprise at a school assembly.

Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop, a 2001 Virginia Milken Educator, presented the award to Travis. “From her exciting classroom projects to her remarkable leadership in the school,” Bishop said, “Mary’s positive influence and spirited nature are felt by all.”

Responded Travis, “Is this real? Is this a dream where I’m standing in front of a crowd of people in a gator suit?”

Later, when the truth had sunk in, she said, “I couldn’t believe that this would happen to me, ever, because I’m just doing my job, which I truly love to do. I didn’t know I was up for a nomination or anything.”

The Milken Family Foundation’s confidential selection process keeps educators unaware of their candidacy. State department of education panels review nominees, with the foundation (based in Santa Monica, California) getting the final say.

In the classroom, Travis combines high expectations and high energy. She even creates rap songs to explain her subjects. Students collaborate on projects such as a math “breakout,” in which one class creates problems and secret codes for another class to solve. The children help each other work through their mistakes.

“Mistakes are magic; they are exactly how we learn,” Travis said. “Especially in mathematics and science, because then you learn so much more. You learn the mathematics behind it. You learn the science behind it. It’s not just: This is the answer. It’s: How is this the answer?”

Superintendent Mackey said, “This honor shines a spotlight on the exceptional talent and commitment of teachers across our state. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!”

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