President honors nation's top teacher

WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Obama honored the nation's top teacher Tuesday at the White House.

In the first official Rose Garden ceremony of his presidency, Obama named Anthony Mullens, an educator from Greenwich, Connecticut, Teacher of the Year and acknowledged under-recognized educators across the United States.

"In a global economy where the greatest job qualification isn't what you can do, but what you know, our teachers are the key to our nation's success, to whether America will lead the world in the discoveries and the innovations and economic prosperity of this new century," Obama said. "That's why, as president, I am committed to doing everything I can to support the work of teachers."

The president also gave a nod to Arne Duncan, saying he's confident his Education Secretary will be written up as "one of the greatest Secretaries of Education we've ever had."