MARTIN, Tenn. – When it comes to academic tutoring and preparation for the ACT test,
perhaps no name is better known in Tennessee than Alex Beene. For his dedication to helping
students improve their academics, he was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime
Achievement Award on Feb. 20.
The award is based on exceptional service and dedication to making a positive impact on society
with more than 4,000 hours of public service. It recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a
lifelong commitment to volunteerism and have made a significant impact on their communities
and beyond.
“This is a great honor,” Beene said. “It is great acknowledgement for our programs, great
acknowledgement for our students. The great thing is that it has opened up more people to
knowing about our programs.”
Beene works through the UTM Office of University Outreach and is an adjunct teacher in
general studies at some of UT Martin’s regional centers.
“It’s been 14 years since I started in education,” he said. “Eleven of those years have been with
UTM, and they have been just the best years ever for someone who is an educator because it has
allowed me the flexibility to teach ACT, to help the schools with college prep, to be able to assist
students with anything connected to going to higher ed or getting into a career.
“I have taught ACT prep through UTM for all of these years, but I have also helped schools and
all types of nonprofits and other entities throughout West Tennessee get to where they need to
be.”
Beene has been the general studies and test preparation instructor at UT Martin since January
2013 and has been the assistant administrator for the State of Tennessee Adult Education
program since December 2023.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in 2008 and master’s degree in 2010 in journalism and mass
communications from the University of Mississippi and certification in teaching English as a
second or foreign language from UCLA in 2014. A native of West Tennessee, Beene graduated
from Chester County High School.
Beene has helped more than 7,500 students in his career, and earned the 2023 Outstanding
Teacher of the Year award from the Coalition On Adult Basic Education.