The 2012 International Summit on the Teaching Profession brought together education ministers, leaders of national teachers" organizations, and teacher leaders from 23 countries and regions.

The U.S. participants included Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education (pictured); Dennis Van Roekel, President, National Education Association (pictured); Randi Weingarten, President, The American Federation of Teachers (pictured); Gene Wilhoit, Executive Director, Council of Chief State School Officers; and Marguerite Izzo, New York State Teacher of the Year 2007.

The U.S. participants included Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education (pictured); Dennis Van Roekel, President, National Education Association (pictured); Randi Weingarten, President, The American Federation of Teachers; Gene Wilhoit, Executive Director, Council of Chief State School Officers (pictured); and Marguerite Izzo, New York State Teacher of the Year 2007 (pictured).

The U.S. Department of Education co-hosted the Summit with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Education International (EI), the global federation of teacher unions. Yves Leterme, Deputy Secretary General of the OECD, offered welcoming remarks at the Summit.

The U.S. Department of Education co-hosted the Summit with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Education International (EI), the global federation of teacher unions. Fred van Leeuwen, General Secretary, offered welcoming remarks at the Summit.

Andreas Schleicher, Deputy Director for Education at the OECD, delivered a presentation on the Summit background document.

Participants discussed three specific topics: developing school leaders, preparing teachers for the delivery of 21st century skills, and preparing teachers to work and succeed where they are most needed.

Participants discussed three specific topics: developing school leaders, preparing teachers for the delivery of 21st century skills, and preparing teachers to work and succeed where they are most needed.

Participants discussed three specific topics: developing school leaders, preparing teachers for the delivery of 21st century skills, and preparing teachers to work and succeed where they are most needed.

Participants discussed three specific topics: developing school leaders, preparing teachers for the delivery of 21st century skills, and preparing teachers to work and succeed where they are most needed.

Participants discussed three specific topics: developing school leaders, preparing teachers for the delivery of 21st century skills, and preparing teachers to work and succeed where they are most needed.

The Summit agenda included small group discussions among the participants from each country and region on how the Summit proceedings will impact their work at home.

The Summit agenda included small group discussions among the participants from each country and region on how the Summit proceedings will impact their work at home.

The 2012 International Summit on the Teaching Profession was held in New York City. In 2013, the Summit will be hosted by the Netherlands, OECD and EI. It will be held in Amsterdam.