Friday was a big day for one Morgan Academy teacher as she received an unexpected knock on her door and was awarded with the WSFA Class Act award.

WSFA’s Amanda Curran surprised third-grade teacher Carolyn C. Oakes with the award after receiving a nomination letter from Beth Pearce.

Pearce attended Morgan during grade school and now has a daughter in Oakes’ class.

She said she was thrilled to find out that Oakes won and said she is deserving of the honor.

“We were ecstatic [to find out she won] and felt like it was very well-deserved,” Pearce said. “She really goes out of her way to find out how each individual child learns best.”

Although Pearce did not have Oakes when she was in school, she was thrilled when she found out that her daughter would be in her class.

“Ms. Oakes is very encouraging. She’s always encouraging [her students] to do their individual best, which is what I appreciate,” Pearce said. “She’s like the poster teacher for interactive classrooms. She makes up songs and jingles for the children as they’re learning their lessons so it really reinforces what she’s taught for that day. She’s trying to prepare them for the grades to come.”

A face of shock changed to a smile when Oakes accepted the award, her second honor of the school year.

Earlier this year, Oakes was presented the Morgan Academy elementary teacher of the year award, an honor Oakes said was overwhelming. The teacher of the year is voted on by the children, making it extra special for a teacher to receive.

“That was a very humbling experience,” Oakes said. “It’s just so rewarding to know that you have been some little part of that educational process in a child’s life.”

Oakes said teaching is in her blood, as she comes from a long line of educators.

“I love children, absolutely love being with them, teaching them. Each child is different. I love to understand that each child learns differently,” Oakes said.

“I want when my children enter that door, that they know this is their happy place, regardless of how they started that day. I’m here not just as a teacher, I can sometimes be a nurse, a dentist, a friend, a confidant and not just a teacher.”

Although her students were excited and happy for her to receive the awards, they were also saddened when she announced that after 31 great years of teaching, she has decided she will soon retire and spend more time with her family.

“This has been a very bitter sweet decision because I do love teaching, but I think it’s time to pass that baton to over to someone else and pray that they will have the love for this job like I do,” Oakes said. “I’ve enjoyed it, and it’s going to be so hard that last day of school.”