The plan to surprise Pilgrim High School science teacher Michael J. Lobdell with the Milken Family Foundation's 2011 Milken Educator Award this morning was a success.

"I had no idea, absolutely no idea," said Lobdell, who was carrying a bouquet of flowers and a check that was large in both dimension and value at $25,000 after the ceremony in the Warwick school's gym. The Milken Family Foundation has posted a video of the ceremony on their web site. The award is intended to call attention to exemplary teachers.

Lobdell, a Wakefield resident and science teacher in the Warwick school system for six years, teaches science and biology. In the summer, he works at Rhode Island College on a program giving high school students the opportunity to do professional research in DNA theory. He holds a bachelor's degree in zoology and a master's degree in education from Rhode Island College. Lobdell also created and staffs an after-school homework club.

One of his students, Destinee Barrette, a junior, said his dedication to his students was evident during after school study sessions. "He's an amazing teacher," Barrette said. When Barrette had trouble learning how genes work in Lobdell's class, she said, "He took the time to go over the whole section all over again."

During regular classes, she said, it's clear he cares about educating his students and wants them to do better. "He's always willing to give me a helping hand," she said.

Pilgrim High School senior Ryan Wade wasn't in any of Lobdell's classes, but he was partnered with him during Project Respect, a student-teacher support group. "It was a really good experience," he said, because it allowed him to get to know people in the school beyond his personal circle of friends, including Lobdell. "He's a really hands-on teacher," Wade said, someone who will take the time to personally work with a student to help them learn. It's obvious that teaching isn't just a job for him, Wade said.

The ceremony, billed as a surprise for the entire school in a press release sent by the Department of Education Tuesday, drew Gov. Lincoln Chafee, Education Commissioner Deborah Gist, Congressman James R. Langevin (D-Dist. 2), and Dr. Jane Foley, Milken Family Foundation senior vice president. A number of past Milken Award recipients also attended.

"Thank you so much for all the great work you are doing," Langevin said to Lobdell during his remarks.

"Teachers teach, and they do what they do, because of you guys," said Gist, indicating the gym packed with students who started the morning off cheering at the urging of the school mascot and ended with cheers for Lobdell.

This fall, about 40 educators around the U.S. will recieve Milken Family Foundation 2011 Educator Awards. There have been 70 Milken Award winners in RI since it was administered in the state in 1990. The award ceremony is traditionally set up as a surprise.