[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 106 (Monday, July 26, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S9303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNITION OF RASCHELLE FREEMAN, 5TH GRADE TEACHER

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, as the Senate debates education 
issues and initiatives, too often we talk in the form of numbers and 
statistics rather than concrete examples of excellence or success in 
our schools. A 5th grade teacher in the town of East Wenatchee, 
Washington has come to my attention for her exemplary service to her 
school, Lee Elementary, and to her community. Her name is Raschelle 
Freeman and I am pleased to present her with my Innovation in Education 
award.
  Ms. Freeman's list of accomplishments is certainly impressive. This 
year she was chosen as the Washington state recipient of the 
prestigious Christa McAuliffe Fellowship. Last January she was one of 
100 teachers nationwide to receive the Presidential Award for 
Excellence in Mathematics Teaching. This national recognition reflects 
the respect and admiration of those who work with Ms. Freeman each day.
  The Assistant Superintendent of the Eastmont School District, Ms. 
Beverly Jagla, says Ms. Freeman is the ``most effective'' educator she 
has ever met--``She is energy personified.'' Ms. Jagla further 
emphasized Ms. Freeman's dedication as a member of the faculty team at 
Lee Elementary as well as her great skill at mathematics instruction; a 
talent so considerable that Ms. Freeman leads workshops for 
superintendents, administrators, principals, and other teachers around 
Washington state that emphasize ``best practices'' for successful math 
education.
  Lee Elementary's former Principal, Ms. Kathy West, noted that in her 
22 years in education she has never encountered a teacher who excelled 
in every instructional area. For example, this past year Ms. Freeman's 
class put on a major theater production, complete with music and 
costumes, that was so impressive students from other schools were bused 
in to see a performance. Ms. West also noted that 12 hour days are the 
norm for Ms. Freeman as she juggles her many pursuits. In addition to 
the time spent educating her students and peers, Ms. Freeman spends 
countless hours writing grant applications to bring more money and 
resources to her school district.
  The final testament to Ms. Freeman's devotion is the choice she made 
with the $34,000 McAuliffe Award. The funds are intended to allow the 
recipient to take time away from teaching to further his or her own 
continuing education. Ms. Freeman, however, chose to give the money to 
her school's Science Math with Accountability and Responsible 
Technology (SMART) project. The SMART program integrates reading, 
technical writing, math, science, and technology into an innovative 
model that will be used to improve the learning of students throughout 
Lee Elementary.
  I have long been a supporter of greater flexibility for local 
educators. It is educators like Raschelle Freeman that demonstrate 
local communities really do know best. The Federal Government should 
provide more flexibility to promote the work of educators like Ms. 
Freeman. I am proud to present her with my Innovation in Education 
Award, and I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing her 
accomplishments.

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