Queen Latifah highlights U.S. public schools in 'Teach'

NEW YORK, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Singer, actress and TV personality Queen Latifah is to serve as host of "Teach," a 2-hour special that explores the U.S. education system, CBS announced.

The program from filmmaker Davis Guggenheim is to premiere Sept. 6.

The network said it "captures the essence of what it means to be a teacher through the lens and extensive footage of a year-in-the-life of four public school teachers."

"There is no profession more essential than that of an educator, and it's time for all of us to embrace and celebrate their importance and contribution to America's children," Queen Latifah said in a statement Thursday.

"My mother was a teacher at the same [New Jersey] high school I attended, and she was a great teacher who, in fact, was loved by all and played an important role in so many of her students' lives. I'm proud to be a part of 'Teach' and help to shine a light on the individuals whose job it is to motivate and mentor our most important resource."