Jill Biden says the nation’s top teachers will be recognized at their own White House state dinner
WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON (AP) — Jill Biden has new guidelines for the nation’s top teachers.
When they visit the White House later this year, they will be guests of honor at a state dinner, the first time the diplomatic niceties typically used to woo foreign heads of state and government will honor educators, according to the first lady. teacher himself.
Biden made the announcement Wednesday during a nationally televised appearance in which she surprised Missy Testerman of Tennessee, the newly named National Teacher of the Year.
“I’m a teacher, as you know, and I’ve been teaching for over 30 years, just like Missy, and I always say that teachers are our heroes and I wanted to be here today to celebrate Missy, just like I love to celebrate teachers . and I have a special announcement, Missy,” Biden said.
“If you come to the White House, we’ll have a state dinner for the teachers,” Biden said on the set of “CBS Mornings.” “You’ll have to pick out your dress. So it’s the first time ever.”
Testerman said this would be “absolutely amazing.”
“I am incredibly moved,” she told Biden. “I know how committed you are to teaching, and continue to teach even as the First Lady of the United States, the first ever to do so, and I know we share the joy there is in education. .”
She said the other state teachers of the year “will be so incredibly excited to hear this news. Thank you for doing this for us.”
Biden, who teaches English and writing at Northern Virginia Community College, said hosting the nation’s top teachers is “one of my favorite events at the White House.” She did not announce a date for the teachers’ dinner, but it will likely take place on May 1, when teachers come to Washington, a White House official said.
A black-tie state dinner typically recognizes the head of state or government of a close U.S. ally, highlighting the ties between the two nations.
President Joe Biden and the first lady will soon host two state dinners, for Japan on April 10 and Kenya on May 23.
A state dinner for teachers will be new, but the overall concept is not unique.
As first lady, Michelle Obama, whose signature initiative focused on improving children’s health and nutrition, hosted the first of several state dinners for children in 2012. President Barack Obama held a state dinner for African leaders whom he invited to a summit in Washington in 2014.
The Council of Chief State School Officers selects the State Teachers of the Year and the National Teacher of the Year. Testerman and teachers from Alaska, Georgia and New Jersey were finalists for the 2024 national award.