Glen Hills Elementary School Kindergarten teacher Maria Santonastaso loves the natural curiosity of her young students. She loves their hopes and dreams — and she loves their enthusiasm for learning. They are full of wonderful surprises, but perhaps the biggest surprise in her career came last week, not from her students, but from the prestigious Milken Family Foundation which, each year, honors outstanding educators across the country.

Last Tuesday — much to the delight of her students, colleagues and the entire Glen Hills School community — Santonastaso found out that the crowd assembled in the schools ‘cafetorium’ was there for her. She is the only Rhode Island teacher this year to be honored with a Milken Educator Award.

“I was completely shocked,” Santonastasso said. “I was shaking.”

Sometimes referred to as the “Oscar” of teaching, the Milken Award is not only an acknowledgement of excellence in teaching, but also a connection to a national network of educators and comes with a $25,000 prize. Santonastaso, 33, said she hasn’t even had time to absorb it all yet as the past few days have been filled with phone calls and congratulatory messages. She has most enjoyed the messages from her family and students, both past and present, she said.

“This is validating and it’s motivating, but I just do my job every day,” she said in an interview. “I love what I do.”

She has been teaching for 11 years — a career she knew she wanted almost all of her life, except for a very brief time when, as a toddler, she thought she might want to be a ballerina.

Santonastaso holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in early childhood education from Rhode Island College and a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in severe intellectual disabilities. She also continued her studies at RIC by earning a master’s degree in education with a focus on reading.

Aside from the professional importance of winning the Milken Award, Santonastaso noted that it is also very meaningful on a personal level. She is a first generation American – her dad coming to this country from Italy and her mom from the Dominican Republic. She said she has always appreciated how hard they have worked, and they have inspired her.

She was able to speak to her dad on the phone shortly after the award was announced, and she noted with a laugh that one of his first comments was that he was surprised that she hadn’t gotten some kind of award sooner.

Santonastaso said she has also thoroughly enjoyed her students’ reactions. A prior student mistakenly believed she had won $25 million, while some of her current students – knowing her love for her two cats – want to know if she can now afford to have a third one.

She is happiest in her large, colorful classroom, where fake clouds dangle from the ceiling and the walls are covered with the artwork and other creations of her young students. “The room is really built by them,” she said.

“I love being here with them,” she said. “They do amazing things, and they love to learn.”

Editor’s Note: Barbara Polichetti, a Cranston resident, is a regular contributor to the Cranston Herald and Johnston SunRise. Contact Polichetti at barbarap@beaconmediari.com.