These kids didn't just find out they have no homework this year. They're cheering for a teacher who's been awarded the Milken Family Foundation National Educator of 2006.

"You kids make this job so easy," said winning 5th Grade Teacher Michele Stewart. "This is what I love. I love you!"

Just 100 other elementary and secondary teachers in the country will get the same honor as Stewart. She becomes the 23rd person in Wisconsin to get a Milken Foundation award and a check for $25,000 to use as she wants.

First Lady Jessica Doyle and State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster were on hand at Colby Middle School to surprise Stewart with her award.

"This is a woman who has given her heart to her children and we're proud of all the teachers in Wisconsin," said Burmaster, "but it's fun to celebrate this one who is now nationally recognized."

Michele says she works with so many wonderful teachers that she was thinking the winner had to be one of them. Stewart taught nine years in Iowa before coming to Colby, and in just her third year says it already feels like home.

"We know our kids well and you really get to know them personally and we know what their strengths and their challenges are," said Stewart.

Stewart says she's not sure why her peers selected her for the award, but she does hold before-school kids’ clubs to let kids brush up their reading skills and study clubs for students two nights a week.

But her students say it's just her upbeat, fun personality that makes her a hit with the kids.

Fifth grader Bailey Schiefelbein said, "It makes the day go faster. I don't think kids like school that much if we didn't have fun activities."