Some of the Official Photos

I still feel like I have lived some sort of a dream. Just when I think I must have imagined it all they email me pictures that prove it really did all happen. Here are two really nice pictures. The first one is  of me getting my award from the director of the National Science Foundation and the Under Secretary of Education. The second picture is the official photograph from our visit with President Obama. I am front and center, right next to the President. What an amazing honor this was!

Awesome Pictures of an Amazing Group

Award Ceremony and National Cathedral

This is our last day in DC. I'm sad that my adventure is over, but I'll be happy to be home with my kids! This morning was the award ceremony. It was held at the National Academy of Science. The whole experience was pretty amazing. The teachers I have spent the past week with are truly the best in the nation. It was an honor to be included in this group. I hope to stay in contact with this group and continue growing as a math and science teacher.  We received certificates today signed by the President. How cool to think my name passed his desk (in a totally good way). We were told that although it was the highlight of our day to have met him, it was the highlight of his to have met us.

After the ceremony, my husband and I walked to the Washington National Cathedral. It was stunning!  I was so glad to have made the trek on Ash Wednesday. What a great way to begin Lent.

White House Tour, Museums and Monuments

Today we had a tour of the White House. It was fun going back for a second day, although yesterday they gave us a bit more freedom to look around. Today we couldn't take pictures, so I'm glad I did yesterday.

Afterwards, we walked to the National Geographics building and saw a screening of the new mini series "The Cosmos". This used to be a show a long time ago hosted by Carl Saigen. It looks like it will be a great series. It premiers this Sunday.

From there we went to the National a Science Foundation where we met with the director of the NSF. We also met in small groups to discuss math and science education issues.

Later, my husband and I toured the Museum of American History and saw some awesome exhibits on transportation, The American Presidency and the First Ladies. My favorite First Lady dresses were Jackie Kennedy's and Michelle Obama's. They were beautiful.

We left the museum and toured some of the monuments. They are truly amazing. No picture can do them justice. The Washington Monument is being repaired from damage it incurred during an earth quake in 2012.

A Day at the White House

We were up early today. There was a lot of snow and Washington was pretty much shut down. I was worried our activities would be canceled today, but everything went as planned. We had to take the metro instead of being bused because the roads were bad. That meant a lot of walking on very slippery roads dressed in clothes not meant for snow.

When we got to the Eisenhower building next to the White House we had to wait for a long time to get through security. It was so cold! We spent most of our day meeting some amazing people in the administration and other agencies.

The most amazing part of the day was meeting the President! We walked over to the White House and into the state room. We lined up from shortest to tallest and I ended up right up front and center. When President Obama came in he talked to us for a long time. I was only a few feet away from him. He joined us for the picture and stood right next to me. He put his arm around my shoulder! Afterwards he shook everyone's hand!

We had a chance to go into a few of the adjoining rooms. When we looked out the window we saw Sasha and Malia sledding in the yard!

Tonight we had the recognition banquet. It was quite fancy. Dinner was delicious.  Tomorrow is another early morning, starting with a tour of the White House!! It was such an amazing day!