NEA Program Brings Presidential Contenders to Schools

Gov. Richardson visits with students in Kathie Martell's second-grade classroom, above and left, and NEA-New Hampshire members, below and left, at Smyth Road Elementary School in Manchester.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson exchanged views with the students and teachers at the Smyth Road Elementary School in Manchester, NH, as part of the NEA's "School House to White House" program. Gov. Richardson is a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Richardson's school day began with a conversation with local educators, followed by visits to two second grade classrooms and a first grade art class.

During his visit with the first group of second grade students, Richardson read "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds. A few minutes later, Richardson was welcomed by the second group of students with an energetic "Como esta usted?"

Richardson responded: "Estoy muy bien. Estoy muy contento."

The NEA-sponsored "School House to the White House" initiative gives presidential candidates from both major political parties a chance to get a firsthand account of the challenges America's public school employees and their students face every day.