Beachwood High School Teacher, Alumnus Guests At White House

Hillary Sadler and Greg Perry received a 24-hour notice to get to the White House Monday: President Barack Obama wanted them at Tuesday's ceremony awarding the National Teacher of the Year.

"It was a very hectic couple of days," said Sadler, who pushed up her exams and packed up her dorm room at Suffolk University in Boston early in order to attend.

Perry confirmed that because the 2009-2010 Green Dream marketing class, of which Sadler was CEO, won a national FedEx Award for their participation in the North American Junior Avchievement Program.

Sadler added, "I think it's important that the Beachwood marketing class is recognized, not just in Beachwood, but nationally."

She received first word Thursday, but the official invitation did not come until Monday morning. She and Perry left Monday for the intimate Tuesday ceremony in the White House's Rose Garden.

Though Obama could not stay to shake hands, both Perry and Sadler remarked on being in such close proximity to the president.

"It was an honor to get be in his midst," said Perry.

"[Obama's] personality definitely came out more in person than on a TV screen," said Sadler.

White House staff invited some 75 guests to attend the ceremony, during which , was honored for her work improving her own skills to better educate her students in her Urbana High School chemistry class.