WASHINGTON -- Today, one of Washington's own got a huge honor in Washington D.C. Andrea Peterson, from Granite Falls, was named the Nation's Teacher of the Year.

Peterson teaches music at Monte Cristo Elementary School. She says she got into teaching because she learned from the best: her father taught special education and wood-shop for almost 40 years. After she got married, teaching became even more of a family affair. Her mother-in-law and two sisters-in-law are also teachers. In fact, President Bush even made a joke about it during the ceremony at the Rose Garden. "This is a family that really cares about good grammar. I probably wouldn't do all that well at the dinner table."

Peterson is credited for using her creativity to help her teach music when money was tight. In her 10 years at Monte Cristo, she has integrated music education into other subjects. For example, she has taken novels that students were reading and turned them into musicals. Musical notes became another way to explain fractions. Her teaching has also extended beyond the classroom. She reached out to the community by developing a music program that honored local veterans.

Despite her talents, Peterson won't be heading back to the classroom anytime soon. As teacher of the year, she'll spend the next year traveling the country, talking about the role that community must take in education. She tells KIRO 7 that she misses her students. Prior to winning the award, she was on maternity leave. Peterson and her husband, Joel, became parents to a daughter 4 weeks ago.

The last time a teacher from Washington won this national honor was back in 1970. In addition, Peterson is only the second music teacher to receive the award from the Council of State School Officers. A panel chooses the winner from the state teachers of the year.