Preschool Teacher Awarded with Big Surprise: $10,000

When Debbie Sawyer went into work this morning she never expected to bring home anything more than the joy she gets each day from teaching her preschool class at – especially not $10,000 and the title as a distinguished early childhood educator. Surprise!

“My first reaction is shock – I’m just shocked,” Sawyer said as she battled tears and emotions.

Eagan’s own is one of three teachers among Knowledge Universe’s 30,000 across the country to receive the 2011 Knowledge Universe Early Childhood Educator Award. In the past four years the company has awarded 14 other educators for their work and Sawyer is the first in Minnesota.

Teachers in the company are nominated by their peers throughout the year and the details are secretive as the award is meant to be a big surprise.

Community Partnerships Manager Vynette Arnell said through the nomination process Sawyer was identified as “a leader in the early childhood education community; her classroom is second to none; and she has an extreme the-child-comes-first attitude and the children and parents adore her.”

David Roy, director of community partnerships told Sawyer of the 15 teachers awarded in the last four years, she received the most letters of support and positive words about her work as a preschool teacher.

He added the surprise element has many purposes.

“While it has quite the impact on the winner – there’s also a lot to be said about the impact it has on everyone else,” he said noting the reveal is always taped and photographed. “To see that ‘wow moment’ is really impactful for our internal audience.”

Roy added through a web of sneaky cover stories, the teachers and even center directors, have no clue they’re being considered as a nominee let alone a winner.

In Sawyer’s case she and the entire Eagan Center were told company leaders and media representatives would be at the school to help promote a reading initiative program.

“I bought it,” Sawyer said after getting her award and the cover story had been blown. “I had to be convinced to participate, but I believed what they were saying.”

Her classroom students also got excited when they saw their teacher being handed awards, flowers and an oversized check. One student stood up quickly and excitedly responded with a “our teacher won” cheer.

Even more student celebration came when Sawyer, still basking in the moment of just receiving the check and award, said “boys and girls, should we have a party?”

She said she was unsure about what she would do with the money.

“My son just finished law school so maybe I’ll get a treat for him. Or maybe something for my husband. Oh, I want to get something for all the people here who have helped me and supported me a lot while I’ve been here,” she said through tears.

Sawyer has been at the school for 10 years and an educator for 25 years.
“I didn’t think people would see my work with small children – work I love doing each day – as something to be rewarded like this,” she said. “I’m so touched and honored.”