[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNITION OF TAMMY LYONS, TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALIST

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                         HON. ROBERT A. WEYGAND

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Mr. WEYGAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tammy Lyons, a 
constituent from my district, who was recently selected as a finalist 
for the Department of Education's ``Teacher of the Year.''
  Tammy, a resident of Charlestown, Rhode Island, has earned a great 
deal of respect and honor from her work as a fourth grade teacher at 
the Ashaway Elementary School. Her status as a Teacher of the Year 
finalist is a testament to her dedication to the education and 
development of her students as well as to the improvement of her school 
and community.
  We have spoken a great deal lately of the importance of preparing our 
nation's students for the coming years and for the new challenges they 
will face. This goal will be reached through the dedication of our 
teachers, and Tammy stands out among their number. Not only does she 
shine as a teacher of the basic skills that students need, she has also 
brought new ideas to her community. Her day does not end with the 
afternoon bell; she helps coordinate an after-school program to help 
students deal with conflict. Such programs are clearly beneficial to 
our students, for they instruct the skills of understanding and 
tolerance, key character traits that are essential in a world that 
contains many ideas and beliefs.
  For the last nine years, Tammy has been an asset to her school and 
her community by bridging the traditional role of teacher with the new 
expectations asked of modern educators. I thank Tammy for her 
dedication and commitment and ask colleagues to join me in 
congratulating her on this notable accomplishment.

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