Education Secretary Arne Duncan addressed the group, and that was completely appropriate because he did much to instigate these comparisons and contrasts when he (and the NEA) arranged for the first-ever Education Summit of high-achieving nations.
This is because Beatrice's father (for her sins) is not only the current education secretary but also, it transpires, the first ever Conservative education secretary to enrol a child in a state-funded secondary school.
"This is Iraq's first ever national education strategy, which is unique in both Iraq and the region," said Dr. Mohammed Ali Tamim, Iraq's Minister of Education.
For many of the children at the Bacaado school, these classes which started late in 2009, are their first ever experience of education.
Sir Michael, head of the education standards watchdog Ofsted, will make the plea at the publication of his first ever annual report on early years education this morning - which will claim too much under-fives provision in disadvantaged areas is not of a good standard.
Appointing her as the first ever mental health champion for schools, education and childcare, minister Sam Gyimah said: "Natasha is an inspiration to many young people and I'm delighted to have her on board as our first mental health champion".
It is also, by the way, not like there are no other options: the Responsible Education About Life REALL) Act would provide the first ever federal funds for comprehensive sex education curricula that would cover abstinence, contraception, relationships, and responsible decision making.
The strike was the first ever coordinated by Spain's five main teachers' unions, across the whole of the state education sector, from nursery school to university.
Despite the welcome news that Oxford University has appointed its first ever female vice-chancellor, women remain in very short supply at the top of higher education.
