Hawthorne Middle School math teacher honored as first ABC7 Early Riser

HAWTHORNE, Calif. (KABC) -- Eyewitness News Mornings is celebrating the people who wake up early to make a difference in their community, and on World Teachers Day, one Southern California educator was honored as our first ABC7 Early Riser!

Tonie Min is a 7th grade math teacher at Hawthorne Middle School and is described as a kind, loving educator who always puts her students first.

"She's amazing," said Brenda Muse, the school's campus safety officer who nominated Min. "We have so many worthy teachers here at HMS but there's something special about Ms. Min."

Min leads the school's ecology club, which has been teaching students about the importance of caring for our planet for over a decade.

"It feels good," said Min of the ABC7 Early Riser submission. "I just ... I don't know how to react to it because it's just so overwhelming."

We're kicking it off ABC7 Early Risers with teachers! Do you know a teacher that's always going above and beyond for their students? Let's honor them together. Nominate them here!