TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A third-grade teacher in Wichita has won a prestigious teaching award that comes with a $25,000 prize.

Dodge Literacy Magnet Elementary School teacher Amy Stanislowski was named a recipient of the Milken Educator Award for Kansas. The Kansas State Department of Education said in a news release that Stanislowski was told about the award this week in a surprise ceremony at the school.

Stanislowski is one of about 40 educators around the country being recognized this year with the distinction.

Stanislowski has been teaching for more than six years. Colleague Melissa Mahan described Stanislowski as “one of the very best teachers in our profession.”