During a ceremony at the White House on April 23, 2012, President Barack Obama presented the 2012 National Teacher of the Year award to Rebecca Mieliwocki, a 7th grade English teacher from Luther Burbank High School in California. On June 1, 2012 Mieliwocki will embark on her full-time, 1-year term as the national education ambassador.
Also honored at the event were the 3 other National Teacher of the Year finalists – Gay Barnes (Alabama), Alvin Davis (Florida), and Angela Wilson (Department of Defense Education Activity). All State Teachers of the Year for 2012 were recognized from each of the 50 states, the Department of Defense Education Activity, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and the Virgin Islands.
President Obama stressed the importance of good teachers and Rebecca spoke about her passion for teaching and her strong belief in maximizing the potential of each of her students.
The TEA program congratulates Rebecca Mieliwocki and all those who played a role in fostering an educated and responsible society.
