[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 135 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1910-E1911]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      HONORING JAVIER GONZALEZ 1996 CALIFORNIA TEACHER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 1, 1997

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a special 
individual and an outstanding young educator, Javier Gonzalez of 
Pioneer High School in the Whittier Union High School District, located 
in my congressional district.
  Mr. Gonzalez, a young man of humble origins, is a graduate of my alma 
mater, James A. Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. He has risen 
to the top of his profession in 6 short years by being named the 1996 
California Teacher of the Year. Born to a large family, he is the 8th 
child of 21. His family immigrated to the United States in search of 
better opportunities in education and employment. He thanks public 
education and the programs afforded to him to help overcome the 
obstacles of learning a new language and for being the first in his 
family to earn a college degree.
  Trained for a career in engineering, Mr. Gonzalez found his calling 
in education while serving as a tutor. He became fascinated with the 
power of education and his own ability to help young aspiring students 
reach their potential. He attained his bachelor of arts degree from 
California State University of Los Angeles in 1991 and his teaching 
credentials and master of arts degree from Point Loma Nazarene College 
in 1995. Mr. Gonzalez began his professional teaching career working 
with high school students in the Upward Bound Program at East Los 
Angeles College.
  In 1990, Mr. Gonzalez began teaching at Pioneer High School. He 
currently teaches math, geometry, and algebra. He is the chair of the 
Pioneer Mathematics Department, GATE Advisory Committee, and also 
serves as its coordinator. He is an advisor to the California 
Scholarship Federation, Associated Student Council, and coach of the 
academic decathlon team. Mr. Gonzalez is a member of

[[Page E1911]]

the School Site Council, Whittier Academy of Math and Science, 
Eisenhower Teams, Mexican-American Cultural Institute, National 
Education Association, California Teachers Association, Whittier 
Secondary Education Association, and the California Association for the 
Gifted. Also, he is the coordinator of the SAT Preparation Program and 
supervisor of the California Academic Partnership Program.
  He was named 1996 California Teacher of the Year, in recognition of 
his leadership in the field of education and his unwavering dedication 
to our young people. He credits as his greatest contribution in 
education the creation of the Pioneer Math Academy. Established in 
1991, each summer the Pioneer Math Academy serves over 500 students 
from grades 4 through 12. This program unites in a cooperative joint 
effort school board members, superintendents, administrators, teachers, 
parents, students, and college students, who serve as tutors, of three 
school districts, and provides service to over 40 schools. Everyone who 
participates in this truly worthwhile program comes away with a 
valuable and enriching experience.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with pride that I rise to recognize California's 
esteemed 1996 Teacher of the Year, Javier Gonzalez, and ask my 
colleagues to join me in saluting him for his outstanding commitment to 
the education of our youth and to America's future.

                          ____________________