Pat Laney, who is a 4th grade teacher at Murray Elementary School, was selected as the 2007 Department of Defense Education Activity's Teacher of the Year. A ceremony honoring the 2007 National and State Teachers of the Year was held in the Rose Garden at the White House on Thursday, April 26.

For more on the ceremony, click here to be directed to the White House web site.

Here are some comments Pat made after her visit with the President and First Lady:

"Representing all the DODEA schools is quite a responsibility that I take seriously.  I shared with President and Mrs. Bush that I represent the teachers who teach the children of America 's Heroes!   I think the job we all do is so important and is a great deal more than just the teaching.  As our parents go off to war we're there to care for, encourage, and support their children.  Education takes on a broader meaning when half of your class has a parent deployed and DoDEA teachers and staff are ready, willing, and able to meet the challenge.  It was such an honor to meet President and Mrs. Bush I only wish that every DoDEA teacher could have the same experience.  When I shook the President's hand I said “Airborne!” and let him know I was from Fort Bragg .  I presented Mrs. Bush with a wooden heart shaped pin that has an American flag and yellow ribbon painted on it and told her it was from the teachers at Fort Bragg .  I wanted them both to know that I was only the representative for a great group of educators, the best in the world!"

Congratulations, Pat!