When Reina Cruz arrived in the crowded gym at Denver’s Northfield High School one day in March, she assumed she was going to an assembly celebrating winter and spring athletics. Then she saw Gov. Jared Polis and realised it was a larger deal.

She observed one of her students’ dads in the throng and wondered if his daughter had received a large scholarship. When the speakers mentioned a teaching award, she assumed it would go to her friend and colleague teacher seated next to her.

Polis, on the other hand, proclaimed her own name.

Cruz, a social studies and psychology instructor, won the Milken Educator Award, dubbed the “Oscars of Teaching” by many. The award comes with a monetary reward of $25,000 for early and mid-career instructors. Cruz was taken aback at the time, but she is proud of what the medal means.

“I am evidence that people notice when you work hard, have a nice heart, and always want to do better,” she remarked.

Cruz spoke with Chalkbeat about how her connections with kids’ parents have changed over time, the value of bringing in guest speakers, and why she gives away pennies to graduating seniors.

“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” she remarked. “There are hard days, but whenever it rains, the students fill my heart with rainbows seconds after the storm passes.”