Museum Collections Related to Education Reform

The Goals 2000 Teacher Forum was held in Washington, D.C. in November of 1993. The Secretary of Education, Richard Riley, invited teachers from across the educational spectrum to share their experiences from the classroom. Teachers gave voice to their frustrations and expressed ideas for improving the educational system. Discussions at the forum were used to inform the Goals 2000: Educate America Act.

Kathy Mathers, a teacher at the Washington Irving Junior High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, gave President Clinton several gifts at the Goals 2000 Teacher Forum. The gifts included a pair of handcrafted sterling silver earrings in the shape of a bear and a bear figure carved from Colorado stone. She also gave President Clinton a copy of Bearstone, her seventh grade English class’s favorite book.

President Clinton received many gifts from schools, educators, students, and educational institutions that reflected his commitment to providing a world class education to every child. These gifts include books, pens, pencils, t-shirts, and awards. Teachers often encouraged their students to write letters to the President.