Teacher of the Year award presented by President Obama.

Anthony J. Mullen devoted his life to serving his community, first as a New York City police officer, then as a ninth through twelfth grade special education teacher at the ARCH School, an alternate branch of Greenwich High School in Greenwich, Conn.

During a White House ceremony on April 28, 2009, President Barack Obama presented Mullen with the National Teacher of the Year award.

The National Teacher of the Year is released from classroom duties during the year of recognition to travel nationally and internationally as a spokesperson for the teaching profession.

Mullen will present his lecture, “Passion, Professionalism and Perseverance,” today in the Kiva at 4:30 p.m.

Kent State is one of seven colleges visited yearly by the National Teacher of the Year as part of the Gerald H. Read Distinguished Lecture Series.

The lecture is co-sponsored by the Kent Student Education Association and open to the general public. A reception will immediately follow in the Student Center.

Dan Richardson