First Lady Laura Bush congratulated each of the teachers for their tremendous achievements. Her comments were warm and inspiring. She even spurred laughter by reciting a story told to her by her monther-in-law, Barbara Bush, about her son George impersonating Elvis Presley during a fourth grade music class - which landed him in the principal's office.

In his remarks, President George W. Bush thanked all of the state teachers of the year for the critical role they play in shaping America’s youth. “You do the vital work of teaching our children. You give them the skills that will help them succeed. You lay the foundation for realizing the American Dream. You do more than that, though. You kindle imaginations. You foster a love for learning that can last a lifetime. What a fantastic gift to give a child. The best teachers treat every child with dignity and fairness and insist that their students treat others the same way. And through your encouragement and caring, you teach the students to respect themselves. “

Kathy followed the president’s introduction with a modest acceptance speech and some genuine thanks sent out to all of her students, peers and family who’ve supported her.