The cameras weren’t a surprise to Julie Rother. Neither was the presence of celebrity Mike Rowe.

Everything else, however, was a complete shock.

The good kind.

An Okarche junior high and high school science teacher, Rother thought on Tuesday she and her students were going to be part of filming a commercial for the people of Oklahoma oil and natural gas, also known as the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board.

While true, it turned into much more.

Rother was actually presented a check for $5,000 by OERB Executive Director Mindy Stitt for being recognized as one of the top-10 teachers of 2022 in her field.

“One of our core missions is supporting education,” said Stitt, a native of Dover. “The people of Oklahoma oil and natural gas are passionate about recognizing teachers for their efforts in creating the next generation of leaders.”

Rother was selected out of more than 200 nominations for her work in engaging students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

Okarche Superintendent Josh Sumrall nominated Rother.

“Mrs. Rother is always looking for new ways to implement hands-on STEM activities,” said Sumrall. “She excels at engaging students and is an asset to our school.”

Also on hand during the presentation was Rowe, the well-known host of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs.”

Rowe was in town with about three dozen crew members to shoot a commercial on behalf of the people of Oklahoma oil and natural gas. The commercial is expected to run later this spring or in the summer.

“I knew OERB was coming to shoot a commercial and that Mike Rowe was going to be there,” said Rother, who was teaching her senior anatomy class at the time.

Then came the big check.

“It was the surprise of a lifetime,” Rother said. “I did not see it coming at all.”

On top of that money, Okarche Public Schools will also receive $2,000.

Rother said she’s hoping to use those funds for a project using the school greenhouse.

As for the “surprise” money?

“I haven’t decided how I will use the money awarded to me, but I am sure my four kids will be happy to suggest some ideas,” said Rother. She and her husband, Carl, are parents to 11-year-old twins Chloe and Carly, who are in the fifth grade; 10-year-old Jake, who is in fourth grade; and 7-year-old Josh, now in first grade, all at Okarche.

Rother is in her first year of her second stint at Okarche. She taught science there from 2004-11 before taking time off - and teaching part-time at Redlands Community College - to stay home with her children.

She returned to the classroom at Kingfisher High School for a couple of years before the opportunity to return to Okarche arose.

“It feels like home,” she said.

Rother said being recognized as one of the state’s top teachers can be attributed to her surroundings.

“I am blessed to work in such a great school system,” she said. “I enjoy my job. I enjoy my students and my co-workers are the absolute best.

“I have nothing but support from all directions.”