New Berlin preschool teacher gets quite the surprise

NEW BERLIN -- A New Berlin-based preschool teacher got the surprise of her teaching career on Thursday, October 4th, when she was awarded $10,000 by Knowledge Universe --the parent company of Kindercare.

Linda Fadden, otherwise known as "Miss Linda," is the director for the New Berlin Kindercare. She ranked at the top of a list of 30,000 educators who were nominated for the cash award. Knowledge Universe has bestowed the prize on just 26 of its employees over the past five years.

Fadden received her nomination after working as a Kindercare educator for 11 years.

She was overwhelmed by the surprise saying, "I love the children, and talking to parents. This is who I am. This is where I`m happy. This is where I`m comfortable. Thank you."

"While we are awarding something to an amazing teacher today, the program really is to honor all of our teachers, and all early childhood educators because it`s such an important profession," David Roy of Knowledge Universe said.

Company officials claim an award of such significance is unique in early childhood.

Fadden says she has no idea how she'll spend her windfall, but she said she would spend the rest of Thursday with a huge smile on her face.

"(The money) is not what it's about to me. It's about sharing the fun with the kids," Fadden said.