Our visit to the Dept. of Ed. was centered around a Q&A about the administration's blueprint for the re-authorization of ESEA. It was disappointing that Sec. Duncan was not able to be there, and the meeting was frustrating as it was too much the policy makers telling us what they were doing instead of asking us what we think needs to be done. It was a great opportunity for the Dept. of Ed. to hear from some of the country's best teachers from every state and territory, and we know what is working and what isn't, and we have a lot of ideas about what needs to be done to reform education. I came away with more questions than answers about the re-authorization of ESEA.
We then headed by bus to the White House. This is still a little difficult to write about since it is still so surreal that we were in the White House, but I'll try my best. After getting off the bus, we had two ID checks at different gates and checkpoints, followed by an airport-style security check before even entering the actual premises of the grounds of the White House. We were then allowed entrance into the White House itself, which was a long red-carpeted hallway with historic paintings of US history adorning the walls, followed by images of President Obama and his family at the White House. Going down a second hallway, past several Secret Service members and White House staffers, we finally made our way outside to the Rose Garden. We lined up in order of our state in alphabetical order in preparation for entering the West Wing and meeting President Obama in the Oval Office. In between getting to meet and play with the First Dog -- Bo --, taking pictures in the Rose Garden, and getting the chance to walk through some of the ornately-decorated entertaining rooms, we waited for about 20 minutes before we slowly started into the West Wing. Passing by images of the President and his Cabinet, we passed by another Secret Service security desk and eventually to the Oval Office. Seeing the President's desk and the Oval Office -- President Obama was still out of sight -- was awe-inspiring. Knowing the history of the people who have worked in that office and the decisions that have been made in there was extremely moving and left me even more nervous and speechless. As my name was called to enter the room and meet the President, it was in slow-motion as I was suddenly shaking hands and standing face to face with President Barack Obama! Wow! Regardless of how you feel about his policies, meeting the President is such a powerful moment. We spoke for a few moments and then I walked out of the Oval Office into the Rose Garden, greeted by TV cameras, reporters, and our invited family and friends. On a warm and sunny Spring afternoon, with the birds chirping and the sky a perfectly clear blue, we sat and listened to President Obama's speech about the importance of education and teaching. Again, having watched many of the President's speeches on TV, it was surreal to be sitting just a few feet from him in the Rose Garden. Flanked by Sec. of Education Arne Duncan, President Obama then announced the 2010 National Teacher of the Year -- Sarah Brown-Wessling, a high school English teacher from Iowa. Sarah gave a great speech which showed what a powerful voice teachers in this country will have throughout the next year. Congratulations Sarah!
I was then asked by the White House press official to go to a different part of the White House to speak to the press, which was quite an experience to see about 6 TV cameras and microphones facing you as you are just getting over the fact that you shook hands with the President. What an overall amazing experience!
After leaving the White House, I headed off to a meeting I had scheduled with Sen. Bernie Sanders, which went really well. We spoke about the positives and negatives of the administration's re-authorization of ESEA and Sen. Sanders was very receptive about my ideas and concerns over it.
In the evening, Target, who is a main sponsor of the National Teacher of the Year program, took us on a bus tour of the city's monuments and memorials, which was a great end to an incredible week. Target is such a great sponsor of education and teachers, offering numerous grants for teachers and their classrooms. Check out all of their educational grant opportunities and classroom resources they have at Target.com/education.
What an incredible end to a truly surreal week!
Cheers!
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