Two local teachers joined President Obama on Tuesday at the White House for the National Teacher Appreciation Day ceremony.
Eric Mathews, a marketing teacher at Akron’s North High School, and Teresa Cianchetti, a first-grade teacher at Mogadore’s Suffield Elementary School, were among the teachers welcomed to the White House by the president, who recognized distinguished teachers from throughout the nation.
Cianchetti, who teaches reading, language arts and math, was named Ohio’s 2015 Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State Schools Officers. The council sponsors a National Teacher of the Year program that results in a teacher being recognized as teacher of the year for the country.
Jahana Hayes, a history teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury, Conn., was honored as the 2016 National Teacher of the Year. Hayes will spend a year on a paid sabbatical, traveling the nation to represent educators and advocate on behalf of teachers.
In a proclamation declaring Tuesday National Teacher Appreciation Day, Obama stated: “America’s teachers — from the front lines of our civil rights movement to the front lines of our education system — have helped steer our country’s course. ... Let us ensure our educators know how much we value their service in the classroom, how much we appreciate all they do for our students and families and how thankful we are for their contributions to our national progress.”
Cianchetti, a 30-year teaching veteran, said she was honored to be among the teachers being recognized by the president. She was the K-12 visual arts teacher for the Field district before becoming a first-grade teacher. She also serves as a resident educator mentor and as an in-service leader, assisting other educators in developing student learning objectives.
As one of the state teachers of the year, Cianchetti was among the group of educators who stood on the dais, behind the president as he spoke about the importance of educators and honored all teachers for their work and dedication.
“It’s an amazing feeling and so exciting to be able to meet the president. I’m working hard to do my best and make the people of Ohio proud,” Cianchetti said. “Among the biggest honors of all of this is to represent the teachers of Ohio and to ensure that our voice is heard in the national discussion about education. It’s quite an honor and a responsibility.”
Mathews, who left a corporate career in human resources seven years ago to pursue a teaching career in an urban school district, was named the 2015 New Teacher of the Year by the National Association for Career and Technical Education. The honor is given to a teacher who has been in the classroom for five years or less.
Mathews has been a marketing education instructor and DECA (a career and technical student organization) advisor for Akron schools since 2010.
“I became a teacher as a way to give back, as a way to help develop our youth and make sure they are college and career ready,” Mathews said. “I never thought I would have an opportunity to go to the White House and meet President Obama. This is truly an honor and it is an acknowledgment of the quality of students we have in Akron Public Schools and their desire to be prepared for the future.”
Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com. She can be followed at www.twitter.com/ColetteMJenkins.