[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 IN HONOR OF MARGIE WAGONER OF HOUSTON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 1997

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Margie Wagoner, a 
teacher at Corpus Christi Catholic School in my district, who this 
Thursday will be awarded a $2,500 grant by the Children's Television 
Workshop and Creative Classroom magazine to implement an innovative 
school project. Her creative and innovative teaching methods bring 
education to life for her students, and her outstanding efforts have 
now been nationally recognized.
  Ms. Wagoner is one of only three teachers chosen to receive a grant 
in the second annual ``Plan a Dream'' program. She will use her grant 
to establish a ``global garden'' to give her students a better 
understanding of the world in which they live. Sixth grade students 
will research, plan, and build a greenhouse to support the global 
garden. Second graders will explore and grow plants from different 
areas of the world focusing on their ancestors' country of origin. 
Students will learn about the different plants in the garden, as well 
as the customs and folklore of the nations from which they originate.
  Parents will recognize the Children's Television Workshop as the men 
and women who make educational shows such as ``Seasame Street'' and the 
``Electric Company'' possible. But they also work with educators to 
help them improve both the way we teach our children and the 
environment in which we teach them. The ``Plan a Dream'' program 
recognizes the efforts of teachers like Margie Wagoner and tries to 
build on their success.
  Open to all teachers of kindergarten through sixth grades, ideas were 
submitted in the areas of technology, math, science, language arts, 
social studies, and the arts. Projects were judged by an expert panel 
on originality of the idea, explanation of education value, effective 
classroom planning, exemplary use of materials, ability to motivate 
students, and innovative lesson presentation.
  I salute Margie Wagoner for her accomplishments and her commitment to 
teaching. She is an outstanding role model for her students, parents, 
and other teachers. Her national recognition is well-deserved.

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