TRAVERSE CITY, MI -- A special assembly at Traverse City West High School marked the school's significant strides in online education and the use of technology, but there was a huge surprise for everyone when a TC West teacher won a national award.

Juleen Jenkins-Whall was awarded the Milken Award, given to only one teacher in each state for excellence in teaching and worth $25,000.

Jenkins-Whall, a 10th grade science and math teacher, was honored the award by State Superintendent Michael Flanagan.

"Incredibly humbled, and it's, I get to work in one of the best buildings in the state, with the best people, and I'm just one small little part of a lot of really good things, really," said Jenkins-Whall.

Jenkins-Whall was rushed and congratulated by current and former students after the assembly.

She's been a teacher at Traverse City West since 2000.