Making History: Jill Biden Honors America’s Finest Educators with White House State Dinner

WASHINGTON — On Thursday, First Lady Jill Biden celebrated educators by hosting a White House dinner honoring the 2024 national and state teachers of the year. 

Traditionally, the national and state teachers of the year are invited to a White House ceremony. This year, Jill Biden, who has been a professor of English and writing at Northern Virginia Community College since 2009, introduced a different approach by choosing to honor the teachers at a state dinner instead. 

The event, which deviated from traditional White House state dinner ceremonies (largely reserved as a diplomatic tool to signify peaceful relations with various kings, prime ministers, and presidents), aimed to signify national respect for educators’ role in American society. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona further emphasized the significance of honoring teachers.

Among the speakers was Missy Testerman, a Tennessee teacher awarded the 2024 National Teacher of the Year, who discussed her vision for an ideal school environment along with the significant role that teachers play in supporting students through adversity. President Joe Biden also made a surprise appearance, praising teachers as crucial contributors to national success.