News Brief

09/24/12

National Teacher of the Year Travels to China and Singapore

By Abby Hexter

The 2012 National Teacher of the Year Rebecca Mieliwocki traveled to China and Singapore this month. International trips are meant to help educators expand professional knowledge, compare curriculum and resources, and discuss policies. Mieliwocki, who is a seventh grade English teacher from California's Luther Burbank Middle School, was selected as the 62nd National Teacher of the Year by a National Selection Committee representing the major national education organizations and was announced to the country by President Barack Obama in April 2012.

She explains, "Part of my role as National Teacher of the Year is to not only represent teachers in the United States, but also to serve as an educational ambassador around the world. My interaction with teachers and administrators from two of the leading educational systems has revealed opportunities for change in the United States, while reaffirming the many strengths of our educational system. I was surprised at how often our educational theories were referenced and how much partnerships with schools in the U.S. were valued." Mieliwocki's trip was sponsored by the People to People Ambassador Program.  To learn more about the National Teacher of the Year Program, please click here.