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U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today joined First Lady Laura Bush to teach a first grade science class on the characteristics of ocean animals at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Bush and Secretary Spellings taught the class together to honor the tenth anniversary of Teach For America Week.

Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates and professionals of all academic majors and career interests who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools. Each year, Teach For America Week brings together leaders from a variety of sectors to serve as guest teachers and inspire students across the nation. More than 150 distinguished guest teachers help to raise awareness about the challenges facing students in low-income communities and demonstrate that when students are given the educational opportunities they deserve, they reach their highest potential.

"Teach For America is on the leading edge of a movement that's transforming our country's schools by rejecting ineffective habits and embracing creativity," said Secretary Spellings. "With every new success, innovative organizations such as Teach For America demonstrate to the public, and most importantly, to students, that if we raise the bar, our children will rise to the challenge."

Mrs. Bush and Secretary Spellings taught a lesson about the characteristics of ocean animals. The students then participated in a learning activity supervised by Mrs. Bush and Secretary Spellings and engaged in a question and answer session. The students' regular teacher, Ms. Laura Gilbertson, is a Teach For America corps member.

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