The U.S. Department of Education is focusing attention on exemplary classroom teachers who are successful in raising student academic achievement for all of their students—often through the use of innovative classroom strategies. These teachers will be recognized as American Stars of Teaching. These teachers will be highlighted as representatives of the thousands of teachers who, regardless of the challenges they face, are making a difference in the lives of their students. American Stars of Teaching have been identified in each state and the District of Columbia, and represent all grade levels and disciplines. Officials from the U.S. Department of Education will be visiting the classes of each American Star of Teaching to congratulate them on their success. This is part of the Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative, which includes teacher and principal roundtables, summer and fall teacher workshops, a Research-to-Practice Teacher Summit in July 2004, toolkits for teachers and resource materials, the weekly e-mail update "Teacher E-Bytes," and a free-of-charge, online professional development tool.

See the American Star of Teaching in your state.

The Secretary spoke at the American Stars of Teaching award ceremony at Spring Hill Elementary School in Huntington, West Virginia, on September 27, 2004.