Beloved Concord School Teacher, Cancer Survivor Honored With $10,000 Education Award

CONCORD (CBS SF) -- A Bay Area teacher who has overcome a long battle with cancer got the surprise of a lifetime from her students this week, who were the ones to tell her she had won a prestigious award recognizing her commitment to them.

Karen Kreider is a first-grade teacher at Saint Francis of Assisi School in Concord and is known for pulling out all the stops to keep her kids interested and learning.

"These are first graders, you know, their attention span isn't like an adult's.  And you really need to do something to assure that they're with you."

She returned to teaching just last year after a two-year battle with colon cancer.

Kreider uses props such as hand puppets, noise makers, prize boxes and anything to keep learning fun.  If a child gets an answer right, he or she may get a visit from a Dr. Albert Einstein doll.

"She does funny dances and she sings," remarked Samantha Morimoto.

The kids love her for it, according this reporter's daughter. "We just pay attention to her, really," said Jolie Ramos. "Yeah, and we don't know what she's gonna do next!"

On Wednesday, Kreider's kids had a little surprise of their own. At a morning assembly, it was announced that Kreider has been named a winner of the Warren Eukel Teacher Trust award for excellence in education.

The trust select teachers in Contra Costa County "who have exhibited extraordinary commitment to their students from nominations submitted by principals, parents, colleagues and students.

The honor comes with a $10,000 cash prize.

"I'm sure there's millions of teachers everywhere that deserve it just as much," said Kreider.

Kreider will be honored at an awards dinner November 20 at the Diablo Country Club hosted by KCBS Food & Wine Editor Narsai David.