KNOXVILLE — In recognition of inspirational teaching nationwide, Melody Hawkins — until recently an 8th grade science teacher at Vine Middle School in Knoxville, TN and now an administrator at Austin-East Magnet High School in the city — has been named the National University Teacher Award West Regional winner.

Please view the video of the award announcement here.
Approximate timecode of the National University Teacher Award Southeast Regional winner and other featured speakers:
- Melody Hawkins, National University Teacher Award Southeast Regional Winner: 8:04 - 10:35
- Tammi Campbell, Austin-East Magnet High School principal: 10:39 -12:00
- Desiree Jones, former colleague and Vine Middle Magnet School principal: 12:02 - 13:30

During a time of unprecedented challenges for teachers nationwide, the National University Teacher Award is honoring the top teacher in each region with $10,000 for supporting student development and achievement in inspirational and harmonious ways and a full scholarship to earn a Master’s degree at National University in Social Emotional Learning, the first program of its kind in the United States.

The award recognizes teachers who demonstrate high levels of inspirational teaching practices by engaging students, building student confidence, creating an inclusive environment, motivating students to succeed and giving students a voice. Each teacher recipient is now eligible to be named the winner of the National University Teacher Award, which includes $50,000 and will be announced at a future date.

The regional awardees were selected by a committee of educators and faculty based on an application process that included professional information and videos provided by each teacher.

The key qualities of a National University Teacher Award winner include demonstrating high levels of inspirational teaching practices by engaging students, building student confidence, creating an inclusive environment, motivating students to succeed, and giving students a voice.

Modeling her classes on the methods used to teach great scientists, Ms. Hawkins had her students do science and conduct experiments in an environment known for student voice, agency, and ensuring that students own what they learn. In fact, one of her 8th grade classes won a national competition to have an experiment they designed carried by NASA in outer space. She launched a Sixth Grade Virtual Summer Boost camp where students learn science and social and emotional learning skills, including the value of community and positive peer-to-peer and peer-to-adult relationships.

“Teaching is the essential profession—the profession that makes all others possible. Teachers are the single greatest influence on student learning in school and play a significant role in helping students grow socially and emotionally as well as academically,” said Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, chancellor of the San Diego-based National University System, a non-profit with a 50-year history of educating adult learners and underserved populations. “The National University Teacher Award is a way for us to celebrate the contributions of inspiring teachers who give so much to their schools and communities and help children to reach their greatest potential.”

The qualities embodied by these teachers reflect the mission of education-focused programs being expanded nationally through the leadership of the private, nonprofit National University System, which is home to the Sanford College of Education, one of the largest schools of education in the country and the first to offer a Master’s degree in social emotional learning. The National University System education programs include Harmony SEL, a PreK-6 social emotional learning program, which helps children develop communication and collaboration skills and is available at no cost to school districts and nonprofits, and the PreK-12 Inspire Teaching and Learning program, which offers teachers free online research-based resources and lessons to create inspiring classroom experiences.

The 2021 awardees will join last year’s cohort of recipients, continue to work with Harmony SEL and Inspire Teaching and Learning and receive training in communications and advocacy for teaching that is inspirational and grounded in social and emotional development.