A teacher at Grand Prairie ISD recently won the Milken Educator Award, an honor that also comes with a sizable cash prize.
Ninth-grade algebra teacher Emily Dickerson was its latest beneficiary, going home on March 9 with $25,000.
The award is part of a prestigious initiative founded by Lowell Milken to recognize the impact of educators in the classroom.
According to FOX 4, winning the Milken Educator Award is akin to winning the Oscar of education.
Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath announced the news to an unsuspecting crowd on Wednesday.
As he addressed students of Grand Prairie High School during a pep rally, he began to introduce the award, noting it came with a prize of $25,000 before revealing its recipient.
“I’m joined today by somebody who equally believes in the future of Texas and the future of this country, that it runs through teachers in the classroom,” said Morath.
He then informed the crowd that the winner was Dickerson, who was shocked to hear her name.
“I think my heart dropped,” she said.
Dickerson further said that she cares about her students as individuals as well as their personal growth.
“That’s why I teach,” Dickerson said.
