Royal Oak Teacher Meets Obama

Royal Oak native Paul Galbenski was recently honored at the White House for his achievements as .

Galbenski - the first Career and Technical educator to receive the Michigan Teacher of the Year honor - had the opportunity to meet the President of the United States as part of National Teacher of the Year recognition week.

"A photo just arrived from the White House of President (Barack) Obama and me in the Blue Room," Galbenski said. "The photo was taken this past April during my trip to Washington D.C."

Galbenski, an instructor at Oakland Schools Technical Campus (OSTC) Southeast in Royal Oak, has more than 20 years of classroom experience. OSTC offers unique learning environments that deliver the technical, academic and workplace skills necessary to pursue post-secondary education and successful careers.

Galbenski grew up and lives in Royal Oak and is a graduate of Bishop Foley High School in Madison Heights.

Next up for the OSTC teacher is a trip to Atlanta, GA next week for the 2012 National Forum on Education Policy where keynotes will be given by Bill Gates and Sandra Day O'Connor. Then it's off to Huntsville, AL at the end of the month for a week of International Space Camp.

"It continues to be an amazing year," Galbenski said.