The Minnesota and Kentucky state teachers of the year skipped a White House ceremony this week to protest the Trump administration’s education policies.
News outlets reported that award-winning teachers Jessica Duenas of Kentucky and Kelly Holstine of Minnesota decided not to attend Monday’s ceremony in Washington to name the 2019 National Teacher of the Year.
Holstine, the 2018 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, teaches English at an alternative high school in Shakopee, Tokata Learning Center.
She told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that her students frequently face discrimination and that the current administration’s policies hurt them.
Duenas told the Louisville Courier Journal that she believes the Trump administration’s support of school choice is “clearly attacking public education.”
She won for her work as a special educator in Oldham County but now teaches in Jefferson County.
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos attended Monday’s event and recognized the 2019 National Teacher of the Year, Virginia’s Rodney Robinson.
The teaching award has been given since 1952 and is traditionally presented by the president.
An Education Department spokeswoman said President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence later met with award winners in the Oval Office.
Members of the press were barred from the ceremony.
Trump gave the award in 2017 and 2018. Last year’s winner gave Trump letters from refugees talking about what coming to the U.S. meant to them.