By — Kevin Freking, Associated Press Kevin Freking, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/obama-honors-connecticut-woman-as-teacher-of-the-year Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Obama honors Connecticut woman as Teacher of the Year Education May 3, 2016 6:08 PM EDT WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is honoring as National Teacher of the Year a Connecticut woman who has demonstrated through her own life that students can overcome obstacles. Obama says high school teacher Jahana Hayes’ enthusiasm makes her a natural talent in the classroom. The 44-year-old history teacher grew up in a Waterbury housing project and became a mother while in high school. She says the influence of her own teachers taught her that a school’s job sometimes overlaps with the job of parents. She says she wants her students to know there are no dead ends. Obama says Hayes is more than a teacher; she’s also a counselor, confidante and mentor to high school students in Waterbury. Hayes teaches at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury. Video by PBS NewsHour By — Kevin Freking, Associated Press Kevin Freking, Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is honoring as National Teacher of the Year a Connecticut woman who has demonstrated through her own life that students can overcome obstacles. Obama says high school teacher Jahana Hayes’ enthusiasm makes her a natural talent in the classroom. The 44-year-old history teacher grew up in a Waterbury housing project and became a mother while in high school. She says the influence of her own teachers taught her that a school’s job sometimes overlaps with the job of parents. She says she wants her students to know there are no dead ends. Obama says Hayes is more than a teacher; she’s also a counselor, confidante and mentor to high school students in Waterbury. Hayes teaches at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury. Video by PBS NewsHour