The surprise visit came during a German test in Edina Kecse-Nagy’s Mount Si High School classroom.

Kecse-Nagy, a language teacher, wondered why five parents and two administrators walked into her classroom on Friday, May 14. Her answer came when they presented her with the first annual PTSA Educator of the Year award.

“I didn’t even know it existed,” Kecse-Nagy said.

Liz Piekarczyk, Mount Si PTSA co-president explained that several teachers were nominated for the new award and it is an honor for Kecse-Nagy to receive the award this year as there were plenty qualified teachers to choose from.

Nominated by students and parents, Kecse-Nagy said the best reward is being recognized. Since parents had chosen her, she felt assured that she is doing a good job.

“You get rewards everyday in the classroom, because teaching is basically a relationship with students,” Kecse-Nagy said. “Getting the same recognition from parents makes me appreciate this job even more. It’s something you don’t get every day.”

A teacher for 12 years, with the past five at Mount Si High School, Kecse-Nagy said she’s always enjoyed working with high school students. It’s never a boring job. When she tells people that she is a high school teacher and they ask how she does it, Kecse-Nagy responds with, “High school kids are the most fun.”

Mount Si student Bobby Rollins, who had nominated Kecse-Nagy wrote, “She teaches German in a way that all can understand and she commands respect in the classroom. This is a skill some teachers never gain. She’s a teacher that loves and is dedicated to the work she does.”

“I would be scared to go into an elementary school,” she said. “This age is super fun and the job is very rewarding. It has its difficult points and moments, but it’s just fun to get up every morning and go to school. I never feel like I don’t want to come in.”

Kecse-Nagy was presented with a certificate and pin for her commitment to the students of Mount Si High School.