The White House will hold a state dinner as part of its Teacher of the Year celebration on May 1, in an effort to champion public education. First lady Dr. Jill Biden, who is also a longtime teacher, announced the event during a surprise visit on “CBS Mornings” to congratulate National Teacher of the Year Missy Testerman. This event will be the first state dinner for teachers in White House history, showcasing the Biden administration’s commitment to recognizing and supporting educators.
While the White House typically hosts a National Teacher of the Year event each year, this year’s celebration will bring together the National Teacher of the Year and teachers of the year from all 50 states. State dinners are usually reserved for heads of state and foreign leaders, but there is a precedent for using the term for other honorees, such as the “Kids’ State Dinners” hosted by former first lady Michelle Obama. The upcoming state dinner for teachers reflects the importance of education in the Biden administration’s agenda.
First lady Jill Biden has made teaching, particularly community college education, a focal point of her platform as first lady. With nearly four decades of experience as a teacher, Biden is the first first lady to continue working outside of the East Wing, teaching composition writing classes at Northern Virginia Community College. President Joe Biden has also emphasized education in his State of the Union address, mentioning goals such as universal pre-K, increased investments in HBCUs and minority-serving institutions, and giving public school teachers a raise, although details on the last point have not been specified.
The Biden administration’s dedication to education and recognizing teachers through the state dinner for the Teacher of the Year celebration underscores the importance of supporting educators and ensuring quality education for all. By highlighting the achievements and contributions of teachers from across the country, the event serves as a tribute to the vital role teachers play in shaping the lives of students and building a strong foundation for the future. The upcoming event marks a significant moment in White House history and reinforces the administration’s commitment to prioritizing education as a key pillar of its agenda.
