As the government pushes hard for education reform, outstanding teachers are being recognized for their achievements in the sector. White House officials believe that in order to bolster college graduation rates, students should be more prepared for the curriculum, which is why it is crucial for teachers to do their part in the K-12 sector to ensure that their students do not fall behind the learning curve. President Obama recognized Sarah Brown Wessling, an English teacher from Iowa, as the 2010 National Teacher of the Year, according to the Associated Press. Obama spoke about Wessling's achievements and how her students enjoyed her creative ideas. "Her students don't just write five-paragraph essays, but they write songs, public service announcements, film story boards, even grant proposals for their own not-for-profit organizations," the president said. Obama also took the opportunity to stress the importance of education reform so that more teachers could make a difference in students' lives. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for educators are expected to increase by 13% by 2018.  |