U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan made a surprise visit to Randolph Elementary on Tuesday to help celebrate national Teacher Appreciation Week.

Duncan, an Arlington resident, greeted teachers and staff at the Douglas Park-area school during their PTA teacher appreciation breakfast. He congratulated Arlington Teacher of the Year Matt Tosiello — a third grade teacher at Randolph — as well as Gifted Teacher of the Year Pamela Clark and American Association of University Women Educator of the Year Jeanette Anderson.

“Children are lucky to have adults like you in their lives, working for them every single day,” Duncan told the teachers. “Thanks for the hard work and the difference you’re making in their lives.”

“We are honored to have had Secretary Duncan visit with us this morning,” Randolph Elementary Principal Reneé Bostick said on Tuesday. “It was a nice way to thank our teachers for their hard work and dedication.”

After visiting teachers in Arlington, Duncan headed to the White House to join President Obama in a ceremony honoring the 2011 National Teacher of the Year.

Photo courtesy Frank Bellavia/APS