LYONS -- Lyons-Decatur Northeast Schools students gathered for a surprise assembly Thursday morning. Students and teachers alike knew officials from the Department of Education were on-site, and thus some suspected the school was getting recognition. 

Stephanie Bishop, vice president of the Milken Educator Awards, announced that one of their educators was being awarded. Student volunteers came up to the podium with numbered cards, and the school guessed the amount of money the award came with -- not $25, not $250, not even $2,500: Nope, the total gift was $25,000. 

It doesn't end there. Being a Milken Educator Award recipient also comes with a network of accomplished teachers, and a free trip to California to learn at a teacher's conference. 

Finally, it came down to announcing who the recipient was. Cameras panned the students, ages pre-K to high school, and landed on drama and language arts teacher Katie Mace. 

"The cameras zoomed in on me and it was all very overwhelming," said Mace.

She is noted for her innovative methods. For example, Mace has hosted a medieval feast, had students pitch Shark Tank ideas, and adapted to quarantine with fun lessons like homemade t-shirts.

"Mrs. Mace just cares so much about every single student that walks through the doors," said Superintendent Lindsey Beaudette. "Educators right now have had to go through so much."

It's partly why the financial prize is so appreciated -- but also what gave Mace some ideas about what she wants to learn from the Foundation's other recipients:

"Right now, mental health is really big, and I'm going to be a guidance counselor soon so just [...] how to address some of the hot topics going on in schools right now," she said. 

Mace noted one way she might spend the money is on fixing equipment at her farm.

Michelle Fouts of Kearney's Bryant Elementary was awarded earlier this week. It's been a happy week for not only the Milken Family Foundation but especially so for Lyons.

"We have so many great things going on at the school this year so this is just icing on the cake," said Beaudette. Recently, the school also just had a major remodeling bond pass; plus their ACT scores just came back higher than expected. 

"I think that every school in the world should know there are people keeping an eye on you and cheering on you to do awesome things," Mace said.