Major General Raymond Barrett, USA, commander, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, addresses soldiers and children during the visit by First Lady Laura Bush. Laura Bush, a former teacher, visited the school in observance of National Teachers Day to promote the "Troops to Teachers" program, where retired service members transition from active duty to teachers. Mrs. Bush said retired service members make great role models and some of the best teachers because of the training they receive during their time in the military

Laura Lane Welch Bush (born November 4, 1946) is the wife of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, and was the First Lady from 2001 to 2009. Bush graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in education, and took a job as a second grade teacher. After attaining her master's degree in library science at the University of Texas at Austin, she was employed as a librarian. Bush is of English, French, and Swiss ancestry. Her father was a home builder and later successful real estate developer, while her mother worked as the bookkeeper for her father's business.