Major national award goes to Jonesboro teacher

JONESBORO, AR (KAIT)-  A major national award went to a Jonesboro teacher Thursday.

Erin Hodges is a pioneer at Douglas MacArthur Junior High School for bringing new elements to her classroom, which is why she was awarded the 2013 Milken Educator Award at a surprise assembly Thursday.

The honor comes with a $25,000 check. Only 40 educators across the country are recognized with the Milken Educator Award.

Hodges said, "the monetary donation, I feel like it's way over what I deserve for what I do. I'm in absolute shock. I feel like so many of my colleagues deserve to be recognized as well, so I'm just in shock."

Hodges is also a special education co-teacher and a sponsor of the Out of the Dark drug abuse prevention program.

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