A St. Joseph School District middle school teacher was surprised this morning during an assembly with a prestigious award.

Deborah Siebern-Dennis, a 7th grade science teacher at Bode Middle School walked into a school-wide assembly this morning with no idea that she would be walking out an hour later $25,000 richer and the recipient of a prestigious Milken Educator Award.

Siebern-Dennis, who is known around Bode Middle School as the “queen of classroom management,” received the surprise of her lifetime before students, colleagues, media and distinguished officials, including Dr. Margie Vandeven, Missouri Department of Education Commissioner. In true Awards show-style, her name was called out and she was given the prized navy blue envelope by Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley.

She is among up to 40 educators who will receive the prestigious national honor during the Milken Family Foundation’s (MFF) coast-to-coast tour across the country during the 2015-16 Awards season. MFF has been rewarding outstanding elementary and secondary educators with the Award since 1987. Siebern-Dennis is the 45th recipient in Missouri since the program was implemented in that state in 1996.

“It’s evident that Deb relishes her role as a teacher and she has a special gift to teach and inspire middle school students,” said Foley. “Her passion for science, her classroom structure, and her positive attitude motivate her students to be the best they can be. She is a master at using online resources to stretch students’ thinking and explanations in science and she is a true collaborator and mentor to her colleagues. We look forward to seeing her continue to contribute to education with the support and prestige that come with this life-changing Award.”