(WASHINGTON, DC) – Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District-KS) joined President Bush today for a ceremony at the White House to honor social studies teacher Keil Hileman of the De Soto school district. The middle school teacher was named one of four national finalists for the Teacher of the Year award.

“I commend Keil Hileman for his dedication to students, hand-on approach to teaching, and talent for making a difference in the lives of our children,” Moore said. “Students remember teachers like Keil long after graduation. We have some of the best teachers in Kansas, and I’m proud Keil has brought this national recognition to the De Soto school district.”

Hileman is in his ninth year of teaching at Monticello Trails Middle School in Shawnee where he is known for his passion and creativity. After years of collecting historical artifacts, such as a 3000-year-old Chinese coin, a 1790s slave collar and an early 1900s nickel and cast iron stove, he established a class called Museum Connections. The personally-designed curriculum uses museum artifacts, hands-on lessons, video clips, and student-created projects to teach social studies lessons.

“My job is to teach but my passion is setting students' minds ablaze with a love of creative learning and the power of knowledge,” said Hileman in his Scholastic Inc. biography. “It is the teacher's responsibility to determine what it will take to enable students to explore the world they live in, empower them with useful learning and excel by applying that knowledge to achieve educational and personal goals in their everyday lives.”

Hileman was named Kansas Teacher of the Year in November 2003. The Teacher of the Year program is sponsored nationally by the council of Chief State School Officers and Scholastic Inc., and honors teachers both at the state and national level. The Kansas program is sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education.

Hileman has an associate’s degree from Johnson County Community College and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science and education from the University of Kansas