[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CINCINNATI TEACHER AT THE TOP

 Mr. GLENN. Mr. President, I rise with a great deal of pleasure 
and pride to inform my colleagues that the 1997 National Teacher of the 
Year is Sharon Draper, an English and language arts teacher at Walnut 
Hills High School in Cincinnati, OH.
  Ms. Draper won the 1997 Ohio Teacher of the Year Award and was 
selected from four finalists to the receive the Nation's top teacher 
award. President Clinton presented this award at a White House 
ceremony.
  In addition to her talents as a teacher, Ms. Draper is an 
accomplished award-winning author. Her novel ``Tears of a Tiger'' won 
the 1995 Corretta Scott King Genesis Award. Her second novel, ``Forged 
By Fire,'' has been recently published.
  Ms. Draper's dedication and outstanding commitment to education as 
well as her efforts to improve education are the envy of every school 
system and Ohio is justifiably proud of her accomplishment.
  At a time when our education is under a great deal of scrutiny and in 
need of much improvement, it is important to remember that there are 
many examples of educational excellence. Certainly one outstanding 
example is Sharon Draper.
  I had the opportunity to meet with Ms. Draper and it was an honor. I 
was at the White House to participate in the ceremony where she 
received the Teacher of the Year Award.
  Ms. Draper's 25-year teaching career has been filled with creativity 
and enthusiasm. I understand that she requires a research paper in her 
senior level classes. When her students turn in their paper the day 
before the prom she gives them a T-shirt that proclaims ``I survived 
the Draper paper.'' She says that she was probably born to be a 
teacher.
  I am pleased that the Council of Chief State School Officers and 
Scholastic, Inc., have selected Ms. Draper as Teacher of the Year. I 
know that her students, school, the city of Cincinnati, and our State 
are very proud. I congratulate Sharon, her husband Larry, and children 
Cory and Crystal for the contribution they have made to public 
education.

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