[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO BOB WINTERS

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 1996

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, a good education is an important tool to 
prepare for a successful future. Without excellent educators to provide 
our future generation with the kind of education they need to succeed 
in our technical job market, our country would not be the great Nation 
it is today. The people who teach or develop innovative teaching tools 
are the key to our continuing success. Over his 36 years as an 
educator, administrator, and visionary, Bob Winters has used his skills 
to improve the education system locally and nationally. In recognition 
of how much this community appreciates and acknowledges his dedication 
to education, they are honoring him on Friday, May 17, 1996.
  Bob Winters graduated from Detroit Southeastern High School and 
received his B.A. in education from Wayne State University. After 
graduation, he began his lifelong commitment, not only providing the 
best education to his students, but also working to improve education 
for students all over the country. Bob taught social studies, history, 
and English in Ferndale, MI, for 5 years.
  Knowing the importance of education, he returned to school to receive 
a masters degree from Michigan State University. Using this new 
knowledge, he became the assistant principal at a junior high school in 
Birmingham, MI. In this position he coordinated a new approach to 
teaching called team teaching. This new approach encouraged teachers to 
work and plan curriculum together to help students understand the 
connection between subjects. Each teacher brings his or her strengths 
to the school curriculum to provide students with the best possible 
curriculum.
  Recruited to share this new teaching technique with others, Bob moved 
to upstate New York in 1970 to serve as the associate director of a 
regional educational planning center to advise other schools on 
implementing team teaching on a national level. Always trying to 
improve the education system, Bob moved to Washington years later to 
serve as the Senior Associate to the National Institute of Education. 
He shared his research and planning of the $50 million experimental 
schools program as a consultant and conference planner at the National 
Rural Experimental Schools Conference, Little Rock, AR.
  Eager to return to educating on a personal level, Bob moved back to 
Michigan to serve as the deputy superintendent and director of 
instruction for the East Lansing Public Schools. In 1979, he became the 
superintendent of Essexville-Hampton Public Schools were he has served 
for the past 17 years. As superintendent he made several significant 
changes in the area including allowing student representation on the 
board of education and implementing substance abuse-drug awareness 
programs. Bob also served as a member of the Michigan Association of 
School Administrators [MASA] 1985 to 1987 and served as president, 
secretary-treasurer and served on the legislative committee.
  Bob is also active in his community and is a member of the Alliance 
for Bay County Schools, Bay Area Chamber of Commerce legislative 
affairs committee, Bay Medical Center, Delta College Community advisory 
board, Partnership for Kids Committee, and United Way to Bay County.
  Bob could not have achieved these great accomplishments without the 
support of his wife, Kay. As an avid golfer and member of the Saginaw-
Bay Yacht Club, Bob will have many activities to keep him occupied in 
his retirement. He is also a member of the Bay City Players, a barber 
shop quartet, and is active with the Society for the Preservation and 
Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America.
  Mr. Winters is a shining example of the ability of individuals to 
improve our society. He is the embodiment of the finest qualities 
expressed in the word ``citizenship.'' I commend Bob for his lifelong 
achievements and I urge my colleagues to join me in extending him our 
best wishes in his retirement.

                          ____________________