The U.S. Department of Education organized a forum today, inviting all 50 state Teachers of the Year to Washington, D.C., to brainstorm about the teaching methods that have worked for them in improving student achievement, and to exchange best practices. In addition, the forum was convened to ask teachers how the Department can best help them in their efforts to ensure that all children are learning, as outlined in the No Child Left Behind law.

The following is a copy of the Secretary's remarks to the half-day session:

"Thank you for coming here to share your ideas and concerns with us. I know how hard you work and the many sacrifices you make, personal and financial, to participate in the most noble of professions. I realize your visit comes during the school year and that it was difficult for you to get away from your classrooms. So thanks for coming. The purpose of this forum is to find out how best we can help you do your very important job.

Before we get started, I want to talk about some comments from last week. I made some inappropriate remarks. I apologized then, and I apologize now, for them. If you took offense at anything I said, please accept my apology.

I can assure you, I have nothing but the highest esteem for teachers and the teaching profession. My appreciation comes from my genes and my upbringing and my experience. You see, I come from a family of teachers. I entered the profession because of my great admiration for my parents' work. I stayed in education because I felt it was the single best way to make a positive difference. As a superintendent I wanted to create the best possible teaching environment for the thousands of teachers in Houston. And I took the job as secretary of education to work on a national level to improve the conditions for teachers, to improve the quality of teaching, and to make education equitable and inclusive for all students--every single one of them.

Today we have brought together the best of the best. In my home, the Teacher of the Year award was more important than the Nobel Prize. My parents understood the great gifts required for outstanding teaching: knowledge of subject, the ability to communicate, make magic in the classroom, and inspire and empathize with students, and generosity to make the many sacrifices needed to give the gift of education. They especially appreciated sacrifice, because they knew that great teachers often give up much personal and family time to meet with students.

We used to say that a Teacher of the Year was a synthesis of the two Alberts: Einstein and Schweitzer.

I want to thank Ray Simon for his good work. This is a valuable forum. By bringing together the best of the best, the "All Stars of teaching," he has pulled together a powerful brain trust. From my first day I have insisted that the Department of Education seek your views as our nation's teachers, listen to you and keep an open dialogue. Together, we can explore the nation's commitment to quality education and examine the tools available to improve teaching for all students. We need your wisdom and experience.

I am hopeful that, together, we can utilize a variety of resources for your work. I know that we must involve parents, neighbors, clergy, community leaders, health professionals, law enforcement and many others. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said, "All life is inter-related," explaining that we live in an inherent web of "mutuality." We need to construct this powerful and vital safety net of mutuality. In this effort, teachers will provide dynamic leadership. It is our job to be there for you. And we will be there for you!

We should think big thoughts and have high expectations. The American school system must become and remain the best in the world. We need all of our students to excel, not just some. The President wants to raise all public and private schools to the highest levels of scholarship and motivation. The essential first step is the No Child Left Behind law, because it makes education more inclusive, fair and successful. It makes all schools put qualified teachers in all classrooms, public and private. Schools now must teach all students. The name of the law is also a promise: no child will be left behind.

My Department has been working with every state and virtually every school district to ease any pain in transition. Funds can be shifted to meet local needs. As we go forward with the implementation of this two-year-old law, we will continue to realign policies to insure that the goals and objectives of No Child Left Behind are complimentary to the practical implications in the classroom.

So last fall, I eased requirements for seriously challenged special needs students. On February 19, I announced new policies to help English language learners. We are looking to use the law's flexibility elsewhere. We are willing to listen and work together with the states on a number of issues. And this is precisely where the discussion and debate should now move--to the ways and means of implementation.

We must also tap the power of technology. A few weeks ago I participated in an extraordinary event. As part of the celebration of International Education Week I watched students in a Virginia classroom share their experiences with students in Mexico, South Africa and Egypt at the same time. This technology can be used to reach students throughout the world. It can be especially useful for students in rural areas.

I have also spoken at some length about the need to encourage foreign language study. As our world becomes more global, we must prepare our students to speak other languages, understand other cultures and compete with students from other countries. If we fail to upgrade our educational experience and produce students with a world-class education, our under-educated students will find themselves wandering in an economic darkness. The world is changing rapidly. We must keep up.

We must do all of this, and it must all be useful, accessible and workable for you. In the end, the revolution in education and the revolution in technology mean nothing unless we help you. So I want to assure you--your voice counts.

Thank you again for coming. I applaud your excellence in teaching and your commitment to education. Together, we can improve the education system to meet the needs of every child--every single one."

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