DELAND, Fla. — A Volusia County teacher is heading to Washington D.C. to participate in this year’s White House History Teacher Institute.

It’s a program that focuses on the historical importance of the White House, and it’s a chance to be in the room where it happened for select teachers across the country.

But for Volusia County teacher Nicole Rose-Peadick — who is one of seven master teachers from across the country chosen to participate this year — it’s something she’s worked towards for several years. 

As she packed her bags for the trip, Rose-Peadick said she found herself thinking about everything that brought her to this moment.

“In the past two years, I’ve definitely grown as an educator quite a bit," she said. "Additionally as a master teacher, my role will change from just being part of the activities to now facilitating some of them myself."

As a kid, Rose-Peadick said she wasn’t very interested in history.

“I never saw myself or my history or my heritage reflected in it," she said. "When I got older, I went through college. I started realizing how important and impactful history is."

In Rose-Peadick’s lessons, she brings in neat facts of the Oval Office, like how there was a fire in 1929 that forced the relocation of the room. While this is the last summer Rose-Peadick plans on participating in the White House program, she won’t be throwing away her shot.

She said she will always advocate for teachers to take part in furthering their education to make the classroom a better place.

“Programs like these are important for teachers, because we’re always trying to improve and horn our craft," she said. "You never reach this pinnacle of being an educator where you’re just done. We are lifelong learners. Having the opportunity to go out in the community to learn and to experience and to have hands on interaction helps us bring that excitement and joy into our classrooms."

The summer White House History Teacher Institute is open to all K-12 educators.