The Milken Foundation honors 45 teachers nationwide every year. They say that it is like winning an Oscar.

A teacher in Scotch Plains was just awarded the Milken Educator Award.

Teacher Emily Litz was surprised with the honor. She thought she was going to a regular school assembly at Nettingham Middle School.

But the next thing she knew she was being singled out as one of America’s best teachers. There is also a $25,000 cash prize.

“As teachers, we're just in the classroom and we're not really thinking about awards and being told we're doing a good job. So, when I heard it, I was beyond excited,” Litz said.

Litz is the first-ever Milken winner in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District.