(KGNS) - A Malakoff Elementary School teacher was surprised in her classroom early Wednesday, Sept. 9, as KGNS+ kicked off this school year's Teacher of the Month program with the Joey Tellez Law Firm.

Alexa Contreras has taught pre-K students at the school for 16 years.

Contreras said being the first academic teacher students meet inspires her to keep teaching this age group.