RAPID CITY - Sherry Crofut didn't have a clue that she was about to be $25,000 richer.

As the mayor, the governor, students, teachers and Rapid City School board members congregated in the North Middle School gymnasium Tuesday afternoon, the eighth-grade teacher was right alongside local news media snapping shots of the dignitaries.

What she didn't know was that everyone was there for her.

In a surprise assembly, including a color guard presentation, performance by North's drum group and orchestra, and cake and punch, Gov. Mike Rounds presented Crofut the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award for South Dakota.

"This teacher is respected by the other teachers," Gov. Rounds said before her name was announced. "This teacher is a leader. This teacher takes the extra time for her students to go over and above what is expected."

This North Middle School teacher, said Secretary of Education Rick Melmer, is the only teacher in South Dakota this year to receive the Milken Award. It includes a $25,000 prize, which can be used however they want, and an all-expense-paid trip to Los Angeles to participate in the annual Milken National Education Conference this spring.

"You know the MTV awards?" he asked the students. "This is like an MTV award for the teachers."

Crofut, who has been teaching at the school for nine years, was seated with her students when her name was announced, and with a hand clasped over her mouth, she made her way to the front.

"I don't even know what to say; I'm shaking," she said. "Thank you; … there's so many more teachers that deserve this more than I do. … I am honored beyond words."

Crofut made it a point to thank North Middle School principal Jeanne Burckhard, who she pulled up to the podium with her.

"I've stepped to the front to be a leader because of this woman," Crofut said, later adding, "She truly has been an inspiration to me."

The feeling was mutual, Burckhard told the audience.

"(Crofut) asked a million times why the governor was coming and how she could help," she said, laughing. "Thank you for your continued passion and dedication … for always being willing to give an extra hand. … You are awesome. Congratulations."

Crofut teaches English and history at the North Middle School and is also the school's technology leader. She is a National Board of Certified Teachers candidate.

Fellow teacher Rebecca Kline took her turn in line to congratulate her.

"It's a nice surprise, a very nice surprise," she said.

One of Crofut's students, Madeline Merchen, however, was not surprised.

"She goes the distance to get us what we need," she said. "She does whatever she can to help us learn."

According to the foundation, criteria for the selection includes:

n Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school

n Exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession

n Strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership

n Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.

The award also alternates each year between elementary and secondary educators.

Since it began, there have been more than 2,300 Milken Educator Award recipients and more than $58 million in awards since inception.

More than 80 teachers, principals and specialists will be awarded alongside Crofut this year.

After most of the gym had cleared out, Crofut was still shaking but ready to answer the obvious question: What will she do with the money?

"I can't believe it," she said, shaking her head. "I have three kids in college, … and the fact that I want to buy a house."

Contact Kayla Gahagan at 394-8410 or kayla.gahagan@rapidcityjournal.com