Paulette Breithaupt, right, kindergarten teacher at Sunset Hill School, is congratulated by Karen Vespestad, director of grants and board services for the Lawrence school district and Breithaupt’s neighbor, after Breithaupt received a 0,000 Bobs’ Award on Thursday at the school, 901 Schwarz Road.

The gymnasium at Sunset Hill School was packed to capacity on Thursday to celebrate the achievements of a very special teacher.

Paulette Breithaupt is this year’s recipient of the $10,000 Bobs’ Award. She was one of the only attendees unaware of the prize.

“I am very pleased, very surprised because there’s so many teachers deserving of these kinds of things,” Breithaupt said after receiving the giant check.

The Bobs’ Award is given to outstanding teachers annually by the Lawrence Schools Foundation. The award money is donated by anonymous community members — who all happen to be named Bob.

Chris Bay, principal at Sunset Hill, said Breithaupt is a great teacher because of how she makes people feel.

“She kind of has that gift that when you’re with her, you feel like you’re the most important person in the world at that time,” explained Bay.

Past students echo that sentiment.

“Mrs. Breithaupt is probably the nicest teacher I’ve had,” said sixth-grader Isabelle Haake.

Another sixth-grader, Jacob Holiday, is certain she is a wonderful educator.

“She’s probably the best teacher I’ve ever had,” Jacob said. “Actually, not lying, she was.”

Breithaupt plans to use the money on a summer vacation for her family.