KOTA Territory NewsRapid City teacher receives national teaching award

Rapid City teacher receives national teaching award

An unsuspecting Dakota Middle School teacher received the shock of a lifetime Monday morning.

Nicole Keegan, a 7th–grade science and social studies teacher, received the education field's equivalent of an Oscar in a surprise assembly.

Keegan was presented with the prestigious Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award, which includes a check for $25,000.

Award organizers say the Milken award honors the top 1% of teachers across the country for their exceptional teaching innovations, and also sends a very important message to students.

"We want students to go home and remember this day. Remember that a teacher received 25 thousand dollars because we value the work of teachers and we hope they think about becoming teachers themselves," said Dr. Melody Schopp, South Dakota Secretary of Education.

"I love getting to be with my students and...I can't believe I get paid to do what I do," said Keegan after receiving the honor. 

Keegan has been a teacher at Dakota Middle school for 10 years, and says she has no idea yet how she will spend her well earned cash award.