New York State Teacher of the Year Dana McDonough was honored at a White House ceremony Tuesday celebrating hundreds of educators from across the country.

McDonough teaches second grade in the Newburgh city school district, where she has has taught for 22 years. She was the 46th teacher to win the title of Teacher of the Year in New York, announced in the fall. More on that here.

On National Teacher Appreciation Day, she joined educators from all 50 states in Washington, D.C. for the National Teacher of the Year celebration, where President Barack Obama delivered remarks. Medill News Service’s Jasmine Cen was there to see it, and captured McDonough’s thoughts on finding success in the classroom.

Check it out below.