Thursday January 29, 2009
Honoring Idahoans in Education
I am pleased to honor Idahoans and Idaho schools in the Congressional Record. These statements recognize outstanding students and teachers as well as schools that are providing community service along with the academic curriculum. Click on the headings below to read the full statement.
Orofino High School, We The People team
Honoring Maria Alicia Garza, Idaho Professor of the Year
Tribute to William Howard Taft Elementary School, Boise
Honoring Oakley Elementary School, Oakley
Tribute to Garfield Elementary School, Boise, and Sunnyside Elementary School, Idaho Falls
Honoring Idaho's Teachers of the Year, Judy Bieze, and others recognized throughout the year
Orofino High School, We The People team
Given May 16, 2007
Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I would like to recognize the dedicated efforts of the students at Orofino High School who came to Washington to represent Idaho in the finals of the annual We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Program. The national finals include a hearing which gives the students the opportunity to apply their specialized learning in history, social studies, government, and civics during "testimony'' before a panel of judges. As they use their newly gained knowledge of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights to examine, counter, and defend issues facing America today, students come to appreciate the timeless nature of this great document. This experience gives young people the opportunity to apply civic values to real-life challenges and serves them in whatever they choose to do after they graduate from high school.
Orofino High School was excellently represented by Jennifer Cluck, Justin Haag, Gary Hardin, George Korbel, Nathan LeBaron, Ryan Lundgren, Madison Morrow, Eric Petersen, Jessica Robbeloth, Ashley Roshitsh, Capri Savage, Kelsey Stemrich, and Bret Zender. Cindy Wilson, the teacher who prepared these exceptional students, deserves recognition for her tremendous efforts. Also worthy of special recognition is Peter Kavouras, the State coordinator, who is among those responsible for implementing the We the People Program in my State.
Idahoans can be proud of the growth of civic virtue in their young people. As they look beyond themselves to the realm of the public good, Idaho and America will benefit as these individuals develop into responsible, intelligent citizens who practice discernment in judgment in matters of concern to our State and Nation. In the future, these student citizens will be more inclined to exhibit leadership faithful to the ideals upon which our country was built and consonant with the notions of liberty, freedom, justice, and rule of law.
Honoring Maria Alicia Garza, Idaho Professor of the Year
Given November 12, 2003
Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Dr. Maria Alicia Garza, associate professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Boise State University. Dr. Garza has been chosen as the Idaho Professor of the Year by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This prestigious honor is a tribute to Dr. Garza's outstanding teaching, which touches, motivates, and inspires.
Dr. Garza has been with Boise State since 1996 and has received excellent reviews from Day One. She is recognized by both faculty and students for her knowledge of the subject matter, her infectious enthusiasm, and her thorough preparation. As a result of this dedication, Dr. Garza's students have been motivated to succeed, as they have graduated from BSU and moved into the workforce.
Not surprisingly, this is not the first time Dr. Garza has been recognized for her outstanding efforts. She has also received the Associated Students of Boise State University Faculty Recognition Award, as well as the College of Arts Distinguished Teaching Award during her time at Boise State. The Idaho Professor of the Year award is another example of Dr. Garza's commitment to high quality education in Idaho. I offer my congratulations and highest praise to Dr. Garza, Idaho's Professor of the Year.
Tribute to William Howard Taft Elementary School, Boise
Given October 2, 2002
Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I would like to honor William Howard Taft Elementary School in Boise, Idaho, on receiving the prestigious No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools Award. The Blue Ribbon Schools Award is highly sought after and is awarded to schools that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement.
Taft reflects our Nation's commitment to high academic standards and accountability. Taft teachers, parents, and students have demonstrated they are "deeply committed to establishing and upholding high standards of learning.'' This is reflected in the success of their students. Of course, improvement and achievement do not happen in a vacuum. Behind this award lie days, weeks, and months of hard work by dedicated individuals who have been actively involved in the teaching and learning process. Dr. Susan Williamson, Taft's Principal, and her staff have reaffirmed our commitment to high-quality education in Idaho.
I am pleased to commend Dr. Williamson, as well as the teachers, parents, administrators, community members and all 353 students who have helped make Taft Elementary such a great place to learn. As a recipient of The Blue Ribbon Schools Award, William Howard Taft Elementary, you do Idaho proud.
Honoring Oakley Elementary School, Oakley
Given October 4, 2001
Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to commend the students and faculty at three exemplary elementary schools in the great State of Idaho—Oakley Elementary in Oakley, Ucon Elementary in Idaho Falls, and Oakwood Elementary in Preston. The students' demonstrated excellence in physical fitness has earned them recognition by the President of the United States for their efforts to improve their physical well-being and raise awareness for this important issue. Obesity among American youth has doubled in the past 10 years, and not only is this unhealthy by itself but can also lead to other physical ailments later in life, such as high blood pressure, type two diabetes, or cardiovascular disease.
Oakley, Ucon, and Oakwood Elementary schools were named "State Champion'' schools by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and selected based on their outstanding achievement in the President's Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program.
I commend these students and their teachers for their commitment to physical fitness. Good habits need to start at a young age and I hope that these students' healthy behaviors will continue throughout their lives.
Tribute to Garfield and Sunnyside Elementary Schools
Given June 29, 2000
Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to commend two Idaho schools, Garfield Elementary School in Boise and Sunnyside Elementary School in Kellogg for their high standards and excellent teaching records. Last month, these two schools were recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Title I Directors as Distinguished Title I Schools. These two elementary schools were among the ninety schools nationwide to be recognized for their efforts toward student achievement in schools that teach students from low-income households.
Garfield Elementary and Sunnyside Elementary exemplify Idaho's high education standards and I am honored to congratulate these two schools for receiving this national award. This national honor is especially impressive when one recognizes that more than fifty thousand schools across the country use Title I funds to boost the achievement levels of students from low-income households. The distinction of 2000 Distinguished Title I School is awarded to schools whose programs offer children from educationally disadvantaged communities access to effective academic lessons.
Education is crucial to the well-being of these future adults because it is often their means of upward mobility. Improved education opportunities allows these children to become better citizens and achieve their education and career goals, including higher paying jobs, and a better quality of life.
Much of Sunnyside Elementary's success can be attributed to an active parent volunteer program. For example, while the school has only 300 students, approximately 124 parents volunteer their time at least once a year and forty-nine parents volunteer at the school on a regular basis. A web page, maintained by Principal Steve Shepperd, and monthly school newsletters inform parents of school activities and highlight ways parents can get involved. The suggested tasks are often as simple as helping children with homework assignments.
Principal Shepperd says, "Just because sixty percent of the students we teach come from households that are at or near the poverty level, it doesn't mean that they cannot learn. We concentrate on setting high standards and we help the kids meet them by offering encouragement and extra assistance with their lessons.'' Principal Shepperd credits the dedicated teachers of Sunnyside Elementary for putting in extra time and for bringing so much of their energy into the classroom.
Garfield Elementary is noted for its tremendous community involvement. Student volunteers from Boise State University, most of them studying to be teachers, regularly tutor students after school. Garfield hosts an annual Career Day in which professionals from the community describe their careers and how they pursued them. The school also has a fifteen-member mentor program. Although none of the tutors have children of their own who attend Garfield, they come to the school frequently during lunchtime to read with children. This extensive community involvement is one of the reasons why the Iowa Test of Basic Skills for students at Garfield Elementary have risen as much as thirty points on a 100-point scale for some grades.
In addition to volunteering, parents at Garfield Elementary are encouraged by Principal Elaine Eichelberg to join one of the school's many committees. At the beginning of the year, each household receives a questionnaire that lists specific ways to help and asks parents to indicate their interest and availability. Principal Eichelberg says, "One of the best things parents can do to improve their child's education is to keep close tabs on their child's progress themselves and work with teachers when problems at school arise.''
The national recognition that Sunnyside Elementary and Garfield Elementary have received reaffirms my belief that Idaho has some of the best teachers and administrators in the nation. Backed by strong involvement from parents and encouragement from the community, these elementary schools have demonstrated success in teacher training, utilized community resources, and established partnerships with parents. There has been much debate about the success of the Title I program in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Schools like Garfield and Sunnyside show us that the programs implemented with the use of Title I funds do work. When we invest in quality education programs that focus on basic skills, such as reading and mathematics, our low-performing students will improve. The methods employed in Idaho serve as a reminder that community and parental support often make the biggest difference in elementary education. I am very proud of the accomplishments of these two schools. Their steady focus on hard work has put their students on a path of continued academic success.
Honoring Idaho's Teachers of the Year, Judy Bieze, and others recognized throughout the year
Given May 5, 1999
Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I want to personally thank you for arranging for us to take this time out of our busy schedules to recognize teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. Providing the brightest future for our nation's children is one of the most important things we will do here on the floor of the Senate. After parents and families, America's teachers play the leading role in helping our children reach their potential. Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to join in tribute to our nation's outstanding educators and recognize a few of the top teachers in my home state of Idaho. We all know the impact of teachers. Five days a week, for nine months of every year, nearly three million teachers in this country help mold our children's future. I believe in the quality education our teachers, administrators, and others provide in Idaho. That is why my children continue to reside in the great State of Idaho. My wife Susan and I made the decision nearly seven years ago when I was first elected to Congress that she and our children would remain in Idaho. We wanted our children to continue to receive the quality education they now experience in Idaho's public school system. That quality education takes many faces.
I want to show you one of them this morning. Judy Bieze lives in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and teaches first grade at Hayden Meadows Elementary in nearby Hayden Lake. Mrs. Bieze was honored this year by the State of Idaho as Teacher of the Year. But she is more than that; she is also a local softball coach and a Sunday school teacher, so I guess that makes her a teacher seven days a week. During each school year, Mrs. Bieze gives individual attention to her students by profiling each one as the "Special and Unique"' person of the week. She also encourages parents to volunteer in the classroom and to take an active role in their child's learning. It is the ability to give of herself that makes Mrs. Bieze special. Her superintendent says she "exemplifies the initiative and dedication we seek in our educators.'' Mrs. Bieze characteristically deflects that praise and credits her students. She says she, in her words, is "truly blessed'' as "the recipient of their unrestrained love, curiosity and enthusiasm for six hours each day.'' If only we could be holding more speeches on the floor of this Senate that deal with issues like love, curiosity and enthusiasm. Mrs. Bieze, we salute you.
I would be remiss in not mentioning some of Idaho's other outstanding teachers. Just last week, Idaho's PTA honored Jeff Durner, a fifth-grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary in Boise. The PTA credits Mr. Durner for helping children "become the best they can be.''
The Idaho Education Association credits a sixth-grade teacher from my hometown of Idaho Falls as being worthy of special recognition. Zoe Ann Jorgenson has helped develop a special program in her district that groups children based on their needs, not on their age. She says many parents have chosen to keep their children in public schools, rather than move them to private classrooms, based on this innovative and unique program. Mrs. Jorgenson believes the system should be made to fit the children, not that children be forced to fit the system. She says that parents are looking for choices within the structure of the public school system, and she wants to offer them those choices.
Finally, Idaho Parents Unlimited says a special education teacher formerly from Blackfoot, and now from Meridian, Idaho, deserves credit for trail-blazing programs for students that are sometimes forgotten in our school systems. Barbara Jones earned the title of Special Education Consulting Teacher. One parent in Blackfoot described her as "a true gift to my son as well as myself.'' Ms. Jones is now helping both fellow teachers and students learn how special needs can offer special rewards. We all have a stake in this process, because our children's success in education depends on the support they receive at home, and the future of our nation depends on the leaders we are raising today. Some define leadership as what we do with our opportunities. I am proud to praise these fine Idaho educators who have moved the bar higher—for our children.
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