MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Teachers play a critical role in shaping the success of future generation. To honor them, Tennesseans for Quality Education is giving awards to 20 teachers across the state for their impact on Tennessee's youngest learners. Wednesday, the nonprofit surprised Stephanie Sacco, a kindergarten teacher at Idlewild Elementary in Memphis, with the Early Educator of the Year award. "I'm overjoyed. It's really special to win," said Sacco. "But it's also really special to share it with all my students and some of their families as well." Sacco said she wouldn't be able to do her job without her students, and that they make coming into work fun. All award winners received a $1,000 cash prize plus an all-expenses-paid trip to Nashville.