their circumstances, and imagine different futures. and then they work as hard as they can to help those young people make their dreams real. so at the end of the school year, the children aren't just smarter, they're stronger and more confident, and more resilient, and more inspired. and maybe, if they've tripped they've been able to get up and dust themselves off. and that's going to make them that much better in the future because they'll probably trip a little more. those qualities are hard to measure, but they are invaluable. america is hungry for more teachers like these, which is why we've got to acknowledge them, because every school has teachers like these and we don't give them enough credit. we don't talk about it enough. [applause] so i want to thank all the teachers who are here today for your outstanding contributions to the life of our nation. we couldn't be prouder of you. [applause]

i like the fact that we have a strong contingent of men here today, too, by the way. [laughter] [applause] i like that. way to go, guys. [laughter] and with that, i want to present shanna with her crystal apple. [applause] here we go. let's get a good picture of that. [applause] fantastic. and with that, let me present the teacher of the year -- shanna peeples. [applause] [cheering] shanna: thank you, mr. president. your support and believe in public education is one of the many things i admire about you. you are charged to create

world-class learners. thank you, secretary duncan for your advocacy of authentic learning and service for our students and your support of teacher leadership. thank you do my wonderful family . i'm nothing without you. thank you to kayla, my students, the text allegation, and my administrators. [applause] finally, thank you to the talented, passionate, and remarkably good-looking group of state teachers of the year with whom i'm probe which to join today. [applause] [cheering] each of them is a study in excellence and each of them is a representation of what a great teacher is. i am honored to stand here today.

as a teacher of refugee students, i have been privileged to see public education through the eyes of students from countries as diverse as burma, somalia, iraq, cuba. being here today makes me think of my students. one was a shy, teenage girl who had little formal schooling and much suffering in her native burma. one day, a snowstorm shut down the entire city. she was trudging toward her school in blizzard conditions, clutching a backpack. her friends had defined cash to fight -- to find her and convince her school was closed. "but how was that possible," she asked. we are in a sense never closed. so many teachers like these

behind me stay after school to listen to our students come and go to their games or concerts, or just create a safe space where they can draw because we are stable dependable adults. for her, school was special. we were her beacon, stability source of inspiration, dreaming, hope. this is the commitment that america and its schools offer all of our students. we will be here and we will help you. this is no easy promise and that is why so many families send us their most viable resource -- their children. they trust us to teach them no matter their ability, behavior or financial situation. school is the place where so many of us learned to dream. where we begin the groundwork of our future. schools and their teachers are a stabilizing force in society and a fierce promoter and protector

of our democracy. public schools help us to find the most treasured thing -- personal meaning and our contribution to the common good. public schools must always stay open because teachers of doors stay open saying "come in, let's learn, let's help, let's begin dreaming." thank you. [applause] [laughter] [applause] president obama: can we take one picture with everybody?

[teachers singing] ♪ [cheering]

[applause] president obama: that was without any liquor. [laughter] [applause] ♪ >> the new congressional directory is a handy guide to the 114th congress with color photos of every senator and house member and bio and contact information and twitter handles

will stop also, district maps and -- handles. also, district maps. order your copy today. it is $13.95 plus shipping and handling at www.c-span.org. japanese prime minister was in washington last week. he met with president obama and address a joint meaning -- meeting of congress. the white house hosted a state dinner. here's a look at that. >> emily, tell us about this past tuesday's state dinner. emily: a very formal affair. it was a lovely spring evening. it was nice to have some good weather. sometimes these dinners can be marred if there is some bad weather. a smaller dinner than previous dinners