Text Box: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Bush Official Recognizes Local Teacher Sparks, NV - In a surprise visit, Carolyn Snowbarger of the U.S Department of Education arrived in Nevada on Wednesday Sept 7 to recognize a local teacher from Sparks. Snowbarger appeared at Marvin Moss Elementary School alongside with Assemblywoman Sharron Angle to present Kathy Johnson with the American Star of Teaching recognition. Johnson was honored for being an educator who is increasing student achievement and making a difference in the lives of her students. A committee of former K-12 teachers working at the U.S Department of Education chose Johnson. U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spelling said "Johnson represents those professionals who see teaching as a calling, not a job." Johnson was selected from among 2,000 nominations. The U.S. Department of Education is focusing attention on exemplary classroom teachers who are successful in raising academic achievement for all of their students. Assemblywoman Angle, a member of the Assembly Committee on Education, was not surprised to hear that Johnson was receiving national attention. "Kathy Johnson is a committed, innovative teacher who believes in her students, and she is using proven techniques to increase their academic skills," said Angle, a congressional candidate. "Kathy teaches a decimal system students enjoy called the Milli Meter system. Kathy also uses a reading program known as Secret Stories, a teaching method that focuses on scientifically based reading research or phonics." Angle said that Johnson also uses a written parental involvement program to further increase skills at home. Johnson, a second-grade teacher, is only the second Nevadan to receive the honor. The only other Nevada teacher to receive this national recognition was Debbie Christian, a 3rd Grade Anderson Elementary teacher from Reno.