Woman who had a baby in high school and grew up in a housing project is named National Teacher of the Year as Obama praises her for imagining a better life for herself
- Jahana Hayes, a social studies teacher from Connecticut, has vowed to 'elevate the profession' of teaching
- She grew up with a drug-addict mother and said as a child that being a teacher was the furthest thing from her mind
- Obama presented the award at the White House, where he said 'there's magic in those kids. We just have to find it'
US President Barack Obama bestowed the National Teacher of the Year honour on a Connecticut woman who has demonstrated through her own life that students can overcome anything.
Obama described how high school teacher Jahana Hayes grew up in a Waterbury housing project and lived in a community full of 'poverty and violence, high crime and low expectations,' at the annual White House ceremony on Tuesday.
But Obama said Ms Hayes' teachers saw something in her and challenged her to dream bigger and imagine a better life. They convinced her she was college material.
Jahana Hayes was bestowed the honour of National Teacher of the Year 2016 by Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday evening
The social studies teacher from Walcott, Connecticut, had a baby in high school and grew up with a mother who was a drug addict
'Our teacher of the year here stands as proof that you can't set expectations high enough for our kids,' Obama said while presenting the crystal apple award
Ms Hayes, 43, from Walcott, Connecticut, has taught social studies for over a decade and is known for going above and beyond for her students, particularly getting them involved in community service, the Hartford Courant reported.
She will spend the next year on sabbatical from the school travelling around to try to recruit more minority teachers.
'I know what the demographics look like and I know that we really have to make this profession more attractive to people — people who previously felt they were not included in this conversation,' she told the newspaper.
'Being a teacher was the furthest thing from her mind,' Obama said. 'In fact, there were times where she didn't even want to be a student.'
He added that Hayes now uses that experience to connect with the students she teaches at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury.
'Our teacher of the year here stands as proof that you can't set expectations high enough for our kids,' Obama said. 'There's magic in those kids. We just have to find it.'
Ms Hayes accepted the crystal apple given to the winner each year. She was selected for the honor by the Council of Chief State School Officers and was joined at the ceremony by those selected as teacher of the year in their home state.
Obama said Ms Hayes also pushes her students to volunteer in the community. She's helped get students involved in Relay for Life walks to raise money for cancer, and also organized efforts to feed the homeless, donate clothes to the poor and register to vote, the president said.
Ms Hayes is known at John F Kennedy High School in Waterbury, Connecticut, where she teaches, for getting students involved in volunteering and community service
Ms Hayes was selected for the honor by the Council of Chief State School Officers and was joined at the ceremony by those selected as teacher of the year in their home state
The president poses for a photograph with the National Teacher of the Year honourees in the East Room at the White House
'She understands the less you have the more important it is to see yourself giving,' Obama said.
'I see myself in every one of those students,' Hayes said at the beginning of the ceremony. 'I have to seize every encounter as an opportunity to create a positive memory for a child. I remember vividly the teachers who created those memories for me and encouraged me to challenge myself.'
Obama also used the moment to talk about progress in education during his administration, stating that high school graduation rates have never been higher. Still, he said too many schools are not preparing students as well as they should and challenged states to invest more resources into education.
He also said he considered teaching to be one of the noblest of professions and said if his daughters planned on becoming teachers, 'I would tell them I could not be prouder.'
Stephanie Mew, Hawaii teacher of the year, gave a traditional shaka hand gesture while taking the stage with other honorees
Obama used the ceremony to address the condition of education in the country. He said that he considering teaching one of the most noble professions
Kim Thomas, Illinois's teacher of the year takes to the stage. Former lawyer and Georgia's teacher of the year Ernest William Lee II gave up at 20 year career in court to become a teacher
Teachers are nominated by their bosses, colleagues and wards for the accolade each year, they then and have to write an essay detailing what makes them stand out as an educator.
The award began in 1952 after being launched by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the national winner has their salary paid and spends a year touring the US serving as a spokesperson and advocate for education.
Last year, Shanna Peebles from Palo Duro High School in Amarillo, Texas, received the title, which is traditionally presented by the president in the White House each year.
The former radio journalist hung up her headphones to spend time in the classroom, and her dedication was honoured with the award - which made her the first Texan to win it in over 40 years.
Obama, who was very well received by the teachers, said in his speech that too many schools are not preparing students as well as they should and challenged states to invest more resources into education
'I remember vividly the teachers who created those memories for me and encouraged me to challenge myself' Ms Hayes told the room at the beginning of the evening
SCOTT SLECHTA - IOWA
English language arts teacher Scott Slechta was named Iowa's teacher of the year.
The veteran educator has been taking classes for 35 years and wrote in his application: 'I work hard on days when teaching isn’t easy. I try even harder on days that are really difficult'.
Students at Fairfield High School where he teaches praised the importance he places on preparing for the future.
DIANE MCKEE - FLORIDA
Diane McKee teaches English at the the Williams Middle Magnet School in Hillsborough, Florida.
She earned this year's title through her determination to get her students through state tests, going to extra mile by putting on after-school classes.
Her hard work resulted in the school ranking highly in the state and county.
LETICIA GUZMAN - COLORADO
English language development teacher Leticia Guzman took the title in Colorado.
The Basalt High School educator was praised by the state's panel of judges for her ability to work with both families and students and to make a classroom into a safe space.
She volunteers with Teachers Across Borders in deprived areas across the world during holidays .
JEAN RUSSELL - INDIANA
Indiana's Haverhill Elementary School teacher Jean Russell took away the accolade this year.
Referring to herself as having 'the heart of a servant' Ms Russell was greeted in packed room by staff and students when she won the title.
She is a literacy coach and is known for putting great emphasis on reading and literacy in her pupils.
KIM THOMAS - ILLINOIS
Ms Thomas teaches maths to students who have been expelled, in Woodruff, Illinois and at an alternative school.
The Illinois resident is know among pupils and colleagues for bringing puns into the world of maths to make it more accessible and enjoyable.
She can be heard wishing students a 'Happy Christmath' or a happy 'Math'O'Ween'.
TOPHER KANDIK - COLUMBIA
Boarding school English teacher Topher Kandik took the title in the District of Columbia.
Mr Kandik began his professional life as an arts fundraiser and moved into teaching more recently.
'I value their voice on what they think is important. Often, students don’t value their ideas. I want them to figure out their own voice' said the SEED School of Washington teacher.
ERNEST WILLIAM LEE II - GEORGIA
History, US government and civics teacher Ernest William Lee II was named Georgia's teacher of the year.
Mr Lee swapped a 20-year-long career as a lawyer for one in the classroom in 2008. He also teaches the International Baccalaureate at Windsor Forest High.
Lee swapped after asking himself what he had done to make a lasting and positive impact
ANNA MORRIS - MISSISSIPPI
Anna Morris, second-grade teacher at Oak Grove Elementary School, was named teacher of the year in Mississippi.
Born in Spain, Ms Morris has been vocal about teachers needing more say in the state's education policy.
She is also pushing for public schools to have better resources and to neutralise the negative narrative surrounding state-run education.
JENNIFER BROWN - ALABAMA
Jennifer Brown, a science teacher at Vestavia Hills High School, is Alabama's teacher of the year.
While she dreamt as a youngster of being a professional basketball player, Ms Brown realised she was better at science so instead studied nursing at college.
It was not until she started coaching softball that she realised her passion lay in teaching.
MELYSSA FERRO - IDAHO
Syringa Middle School science teacher Melyssa Ferro was not only named Idaho's teacher of the year, but also won the Presidential Award for Excellence in Maths and Science.
The daughter of two educators, Ms Ferro realised she had a passion for teaching while at college and said she wanted to speak out for those who couldn't for themselves.
LINDA GLASGOW - MISSOURI
Linda Glasgow from the Blue Springs School District in Missouri is the state's 'well deserved' teacher of the year.
Ms Glasgow has been teaching for 30 years. Both her sisters and their husbands are teachers, making them a family of educators.
The elementary school teacher is known for constantly building on her professional skills by taking extra classes.
SANDRA HALL - DELAWARE
Military wife and North Smyrna Elementary school teacher Sandra Hall took the title in Delaware.
Ms Hall began her career in teaching relatively later on in life - taking to the classroom full time at the age of 44.
Before embarking as a teacher, Ms Hall worked in advertising and lived overseas with her husband.
Most watched News videos
- Scottish woman has temper tantrum at Nashville airport
- Tesla Cybertruck explodes in front of Trump hotel in Las Vegas
- Mass panic as New Orleans attacker flies down Bourbon street
- Shocking moment zookeeper is fatally mauled by lions in private zoo
- Horrific video shows aftermath of New Orleans truck 'attack'
- Meghan Markle celebrates new year in first Instagram video
- Tesla Cybertruck burns outside Trump hotel in Las Vegas
- See how truck that drove into crowd made it through police barrier
- Cheerful Melania Trump bops to YMCA at Mar-a-Lago NYE bash
- New Orleans terror attack suspect reveals background in video
- Plane passenger throws drink at flight attendant in boozy fight
- Horrifying moment yacht crashes into rocks and sinks off Mexico coast
