INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — President Barack Obama spoke Tuesday about the importance of personal responsibility for students when it comes to their own education.

The address was nationally televised and caused considerable controversy over the last few days among parents concerned about Obama's message.

That message was heard in a number of local classrooms, including Incline High School, where civics teacher Milt Hyams said he watched the Tuesday address.

“I would say my take on it was that I think President Obama was acting as the educator in chief,” Hyams said. “The message of education as an opportunity students need to capture is an important message to hear.”

Hyams also praised the president for sharing in his speech the life stories of people who overcame difficulties to pursue an education.

“I think it's important that students find value in their education,” Hyams said.

Obama charged people coming from difficult circumstances to take accountability for their own education despite their upbringings.

Students viewed the speech across the North Shore's two public school districts (Washoe County and Tahoe Truckee) and alternate arrangements were made for students whose parents objected to their viewing of the speech.