Nation's top teacher from Granite Falls

WASHINGTON -- Andrea Peterson of Granite Falls was honored Thursday as the nation's top teacher.

But for the 33-year-old music instructor, the award was a family affair.

Peterson's father, Victor Rahn, has been in the classroom since before Andrea was born, and her mother, Darlene, is a librarian. Two sisters-in-law and her mother-in-law also are teachers, and her two brothers are musicians. Her husband plays the trumpet.

President Bush stressed the family connections as he saluted Peterson at a Rose Garden ceremony Thursday.

"When you come from a family of teachers, you tend to develop a lifelong appreciation of learning. And more importantly, it enables you to find creative ways to instill that appreciation in others," Bush said, with Peterson by his side.

Bush said Peterson had told him that her father was her first role model. Bush nodded to Rahn at Thursday's ceremony, which was attended by nearly 200 people to celebrate Peterson's selection as the 57th national teacher of the year.

"We congratulate you on being such a fine dad that your daughter stands here in the Rose Garden as the national teacher of the year," Bush said.

Peterson said her father set an example that she has tried to follow for 10 years as a music teacher in Granite Falls.

She said she was thrilled at the award -- especially the recognition of music at a time when many schools stress reading and writing.

"It's exciting that arts can be brought to a national spotlight," Peterson said.