PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WPRI) — Kyle Spaltholtz, a 7th and 8th grade counselor at Portsmouth Middle School, became the district's first-ever Milken Educator Award recipient on Thursday.

But heading into the gym that morning, he had no idea it was coming.

Students and staff gathered for what was billed as an assembly about the school's positive learning environment. Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green was running the event when suddenly she shifted gears and brought out a "special guest."

Milken Educator Awards Vice President Dr. Jane Foley was given the microphone to announce she had a surprise for one exceptional educator.

Teachers are not made aware of their candidacy, so Spaltholz was completely shocked to hear his named called before he walked up to accept his awar

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