Obama honors former NYPD detective named National Teacher of the Year

April 29, 5:46 PMNY Education ExaminerLorri Giovinco-Harte

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A former NYPD detective turned teacher was honored at the White House for being selected National Teacher of the Year.

Anthony Mullen, a special education teacher at Connecticut's Arch School was selected by the Council of Chief State Officers, who chose him from among a group of national finalists.

Mullen became a teacher eight years ago, after retiring from the NYPD.  The Associated Press reports that he became a teacher in order to help children before they found themselves in trouble:

"As a police officer, so many of the kids, you get involved with them when it's too late," Mullen said. "With teaching, you get to spend a lot more time with these at-risk students and prevent them from either going to jail or harming other people, turning into something productive instead of destructive."

The Arch School, where Mullen works, caters to at-risk students, many of whom have been in danger of leaving school.  Mullen has acted as an advocate for such students and supervises a program which provides support to those who have been expelled.

President Obama praised Mullen for his work with young people:

"Each of us carries with us in life the love and wisdom of people like Tony — the special few who were there for us when we needed it most; who pushed us when we were afraid; who pulled us back when we were headed in the wrong direction; who refused to give up on us, no matter how difficult we were," Obama said.

Read more from The Associated Press.