Ferris High School’s Mandy Manning has been named a finalist for National Teacher of the Year.

Manning said she’s known for some time but was only allowed to talk about being named a finalist on Thursday.

She said all 56 teachers of the year – one from each 50 states, along with teachers from Guam, the Marianas Islands, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, D.C. and Department of Defense schools – will be invited to the White House in April where officials will announce the National Teacher of the Year for 2018. Manning was named Washington state teacher of the year in September.

“It’s a whirlwind to make the state teacher of the year,” Manning said. “To be in the top four of the finalists is really unbelievable. It’s awesome.”

The timing of the announcement in April remains uncertain. “It’s based on the White House schedule,” she said.

Manning was instrumental in helping several refugee students, some who are fleeing war-torn countries, to learn English and receive an education. She’s also learning sign language to help two deaf Syrian students learn a language for the first time.

Manning said she is looking forward to attending the ceremony in the nation’s capital.

“Of course I welcome the opportunity to share my student’s stories,” she said. “That is incredible.”