CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — A Cranston kindergarten teacher was surprised during a school assembly on Tuesday when she was awarded the $25,000 Milken Elementary Educator Award. Maria Santonastaso has taught at Glen Hills Elementary School for nine years and was honored both for her skills as an educator and for always supporting her students and colleagues. Teachers are not aware of their candidacy for the award, so the win was a complete surprise for Santonastaso. "If you know me, you know I'm a crier, and I am not crying because I am shocked," she said after receiving the award. "This is amazing, and I couldn't picture it anywhere else because all of these kids are my family." ALSO READ: Biden surprises Pawtucket teacher, forgives her student loan debt Maria Santonastaso teaches kindergarten at Glen Hills Elementary School and was awarded the was awarded the $25,000 Milken Elementary Educator Award. (Joe Cortese/ WPRI-TV) Up to 45 educators across the country will be honored with the Milken Educator Award this school year, but Santonastaso is the only one being recognized in Rhode Island. "As a passionate advocate for strong, data-driven literacy instruction, Maria has inspired a love of reading that empowers students to excel," R.I. Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said. "We are tremendously grateful for her contributions to Rhode Island education and look forward to the continued positive impact she will make on her students and the profession as a Milken Educator," she continued. The $25,000 cash award is unrestricted. Santonastaso isn't yet sure what she will do with the money, but she has some ideas. "I've always wanted to write a children's book, so I don't know, maybe something in that realm," she smiled. "Of course, give back to my community." NEXT: Surprise ceremony honors RI’s Teacher of the Year Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Good News SIGN UP NOW