Jill Biden is hosting a White House ‘state dinner’ to honor America’s 2024 teachers of the year
WASHINGTON — First lady Jill Biden opened the White House to more than 50 of America’s top educators on Thursday, hosting the 2024 National and State Teachers of the Year at a chic dinner to recognize them for their commitment to students and excellence in the classroom.
The teachers typically attend a ceremony at the White House each year following their selection by an organization representing K-12 educators. (They didn’t visit during the coronavirus pandemic.)
But Jill Biden, who teaches English and writing at Northern Virginia Community College, put a new spin on the annual event by hosting them Thursday for a “state dinner” for teachers.
She announced the change during a nationally televised appearance in April with Missy Testerman, the 2024 National Teacher of the Year. Testerman in English as a second language teacher at Rogersville City School in Rogersville, Tennessee.
βIt’s one of my favorite events at the White House when we bring in the Teachers of the Year and we celebrate them every year,β the first lady said at the time.
A state dinner at the White House is a diplomatic tool used selectively by presidents to highlight the cooperation of close American allies. Key features include a pomp-filled welcome ceremony for the visiting head of state, face time with the president and a glitzy dinner with hundreds of guests, including titans from the worlds of politics, business and Hollywood.
Teachers received a stripped-down version.
This year’s State Teachers of the Year include those from 49 states, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense. Florida did not participate.
Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona will also be in attendance. Emhoff is a former entertainment lawyer who teaches at Georgetown Law School.
The Council of Chief State School Officers oversees the National Teacher of the Year program.