Undervalued, vilified, unsupported, stressed, underpaid, yet still undeterred. Unsung heroes, generously giving of themselves, against all odds, fighting a silent, difficult battle with immense sacrifice, tenacity, and perseverance. This battle - the battle of educating the men and women of tomorrow - takes place daily in our schools. Now more than ever, teaching has become a true calling or vocation - a call to remedy the bleak future that many foresee. The economic crisis and the tumultuous international climate have propelled teachers into the forefront, making them indispensable in the struggle to save our children and our nation. In their hands rests the American dream, economic progress, social stability, and world peace.