[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 87 (Friday, July 1, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         TRIBUTE TO TERESA RICH

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I would like to take a few moments to 
honor one of my constituents for her outstanding efforts in the field 
of elementary education. Teresa Rich, a combination first- and second-
grade teacher at Wilson Elementary School in Rapid City, SD, has been 
named Outstanding Teacher for 1994 by the US West Foundation.
  This honor is a reflection of Teresa's dedication and devotion to the 
education profession. For over 16 years she has shaped the lives and 
minds of students in the Rapid City School District. Her creative and 
innovative teaching methods have had a positive impact on hundreds of 
tomorrow's leaders.
  South Dakota's students consistently rank high when compared with 
other States on national tests like the SAT, ACT, and others. South 
Dakota teachers do a first-rate job of educating our young people, 
usually with limited budgetary resources. I always have believed that 
education represents one of the wisest possible investments we can make 
for our future well-being. Teachers like Teresa Rich are a key 
ingredient in any successful education system.
  Teresa's spirit of helping others has been acknowledged by this 
prestigious award. It is not only an honor for her, but for Wilson 
Elementary School and the entire Rapid City School District. I 
congratulate her and request the attached article dated June 6, 1994, 
from the Rapid City Journal be inserted in the Record.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

              [From the Rapid City Journal, June 6, 1994]

                    Wilson Teacher Named Outstanding

       Teresa Rich, a combination first- and second-grade teacher 
     at Wilson Elementary School, was named South Dakota 
     Outstanding Teacher for 1994 by the US West Foundation.
       ``Mrs. Rich strives to maintain the highest standards, 
     looks after the smallest detail, and goes the extra mile to 
     provide her students with the challenging and rewarding 
     educational environment,'' wrote state Sen. Michael Deidrich, 
     R-Rapid City, who nominated Rich for the award.
       Rich believes in bringing learning to life through hands-on 
     activities, such as building a 10-foot-by-15-foot house in 
     the classroom while studying weights and measures.
       Building the house was part of a whole unit based on the 
     story of the Gingerbread Man, and is an example of how she 
     develops teaching units, incorporating math, science and 
     social studies elements around a central theme, according to 
     a news release from US West.
       The students bake gingerbread cookies and, after they ``ran 
     away,'' the class tracked them on a map. Following the 
     adventures of the gingerbread cookies, the students learned 
     about their community, their state and different countries.
       Rich has been a teacher with the Rapid City School District 
     for 16 years, the last four at Wilson Elementary. She will 
     receive a $15,000 cash award to fund a thematic teaching 
     proposal.
       Rich says the award is an honor for herself. Wilson 
     Elementary School and the entire Rapid City School District.
       The award was part of the US West Foundation's ``Reaching 
     Beyond Classroom Walls'' program, designed to recognize and 
     reward teachers who stretch students' imaginations by going 
     beyond in-class instruction.

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