Trump gives Teacher of the Year award to educator who teaches immigrant, refugee students

President Trump on Wednesday awarded the National Teacher of the Year award to an educator known for teaching immigrant and refugee students.

Mandy Manning, a teacher in Washington state, has taught English and math to refugee and immigrant students at Joel E. Ferris High School in Spokane for the past six years. Her students come from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan and elsewhere, according to her award application.

“Most of my students come to the U.S. seeking safety, but they don’t always feel safe here,” she wrote in her application. “I must help them understand current events, know their rights, and provide a safe and welcoming environment.”

Trump hosted Manning, other award finalists and teachers from each state at the White House on Wednesday afternoon.

“Her incredible devotion has earned her the adoration — total adoration, actually — and respect of students and colleagues throughout her school district, community and the entire state,” Trump said during the presentation.

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“Teachers like Mandy play a vital role in the well-being of our children, the strength of our communities and the success of our nation,” he added.

Prior to her work in Washington, Manning worked as a teacher in the Peace Corps in Armenia. She also taught in Japan and in other parts of the U.S.

Trump’s administration has sought to reduce the number of refugees and immigrants entering the U.S. illegally, arguing it is in the interest of national security.

The president announced last year that his administration would allow no more than 45,000 refugees into the U.S. in 2018. 

The president has also issued multiple versions of a travel ban that aims to block citizens from Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Yemen and Chad from entering the U.S., though the White House announced last month that it would drop Chad from the list.