Harrisburg, S.D. (KELO.com) -- A math teacher at Harrisburg South Middle School has won a prestigious national award, often called the 'Oscar of Teaching'.
Carol Diede was surprised at a school assembly Thursday morning when they called her out of the stands and presented her with a giant check worth $25,000 that goes with the Milken Award.
“Carla just does whatever it takes,” says Harrisburg South Middle School Principal Darren Ellwein.
State Education Secretary Don Kirkegaard says Diede "epitomizes" what it means to personalize instruction for students.
Diede helps lead the middle school's personalized learning initiative, which is now in its second year and includes 6th and 7th grade students. She also teaches 8th grade math.
She spends mornings as a personalized learning coach to students and teachers and teaches math classes in the afternoon. She also serves as a liaison to parents of incoming middle school students, helping them understand the options available to their children.
