. >> she's focusing on her students when the mayor, media and the new school antwuan wilson walked in for a surprise. >> you are the dcps teacher of the year. >> she knew she had been nominated but gave credit to her students. >> for what i do and trying to make science come alive for them. >> one of her seventh graders needed no prompting. >> she's improving me in a lot of different types of ways and i believe it will help me on to college and my career. >> the teacher of the year always knew she was smart. but a high school teacher and a coach many if 1990s once had a different message for her. >> i love science and he muld me aside and said i needed to stop answering so many questions because boys don't date smart girls. >> she kept studying but pulled back in class. in college in wisconsin and north carolina she decided on a teaching career. >> i realized that i wanted to make sure students had the best experience and i wanted to light they can be successful. and it's wonderful to be smart. >> at the chancellor's news conference, they said the teacher of the year gets $10,000. som