Education Dept. records rural teachers' stories

It's not often that teachers get invited to the White House, but some of the most recent nationally certified teachers, including several from rural communities, were honored at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. for earning the profession's highest credential. U.S. Department of Education rural spokesman John White interviewed those from rural places about challenges they face, including lack of funding and technology, and preparing students for "a 21st century economy."

Jenny Lovering, history teacher at Columbia Falls High School near the Canadian boarder in Montana, told White she hopes to prepare students for college and careers so they can return and rebuild their community. "I want to be able to help them to get to the places where they want to go, so they can come back," she said. "I want them to be able to bring in new industries and new ideas to revitalize this area that they love."

While in the nation's capital, teachers attended a forum that recognized the importance of teaching, and shared how the administration could support teachers to help every child receive "high-quality instruction." Senior officials at the Education Department sat in roundtable discussions with them to hear input about how to develop teachers' leadership skills in the classroom.