Jill Biden Toasts Educators in State Dinner

First-ever White House National Teachers of the Year State Dinner honors 2024 recipients.

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden (right) and 2024 Teacher of the Year Missy Testerman from Tennessee make a toast at the National Teachers of the Year State Dinner Thursday. (Photo: @flotus Instagram)

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden saluted public school teachers from across the country, including United States territories, Thursday in the White House’s first-ever National Teachers of the Year State Dinner.

“Tonight, we celebrate you,” Biden said. “Because teaching isn’t just a job. It’s a calling.”

In a nod to teacher unions, Biden said educators believe a better world is possible and make that world real. “None of that could happen without the support of our unions," the first lady said. Ahead of the dinner and Teacher Appreciation Week, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new efforts to strengthen the teaching profession and support schools across the country. 

Biden commended teachers who redid their lesson plans overnight during the pandemic, who support military children starting over at n…