[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 158 (Wednesday, November 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TO RECOGNIZE TEACHERS WHO HAVE WON USA TODAY AWARD

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                            HON. MAC COLLINS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 9, 1999

  Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, when USA TODAY selected 29 of America's top 
teachers for its All-USA Teacher Team, I was proud to learn that 3 of 
them came from the Third District of Georgia. USA TODAY says the team 
parallels the All-USA Academic Team which has been selecting 
outstanding students since 1987.
  I want to introduce these teachers to Congress. They represent the 
best in their profession, not only for their dedication, but for their 
creativity in designing programs to help children. Each has started an 
important program that teaches children both in the classroom and 
outside.
  It goes without saying that each of these teachers developed their 
program on their own. These programs were developed in Columbus and 
Newnan, not in some bureaucrat's office in Washington, D.C.
  Tina Cross, of Carver H.S., in Columbus, is a 25-year teaching 
veteran. She teaches advanced placement biology and physics. Her 
students are participating in a space shuttle science project with 
North Carolina in sending peanuts into space to examine the effect of 
zero gravity on the nutrients. She said the peanut industry is also 
working with the students on the shoe-box-sized experiment.
  Cross's students have other, more down-to-earth projects as well. 
They have raised money to build a Habitat for Humanity house in 
Tanzania, and in Columbus itself.
  She teaches at George Washington Carver High School, which has over 
1,700 students. It has science, math, technology, and vocational magnet 
programs. The school is named for the famous African American scientist 
George Washington Carver, whose work with peanuts helped revive 
Southern agriculture and improve nutrition. The peanut project is 
appropriate, don't you think?
  Sylvia Dee Shore, a 30-year teaching veteran at Clubview Elementary 
in Columbus, teaches third graders. She started the Riverkids Network, 
which involves over 1,000 children from 18 schools in grades 3 through 
8. She started the interdisciplinary river awareness project in 1994. 
The students sample the Chattahoochee River's waters, do chemical 
testing, and study insects and other animals found in the river system. 
They publish a bi-monthly newsletter, and an annual Riverkids Cookbook.
  Clubview Elementary has 500 children from grades kindergarten through 
sixth grade. The school has very strong community roots with second and 
third generations attending school there.
  Dr. Carmella Williams Scott, a 23-year teaching veteran teaches at 
the Fairmount Alternative School, in Newnan. She concentrates on 
children who have been sent to the school from juvenile justice 
departments or who have been expelled from other schools.
  She teaches middle and high school students English literature and 
law. She introduced Cease Fire, which operates a juvenile video 
courtroom. Students assume the roles in the court of the judges and 
lawyers. They even film the proceedings and hold open hearings so other 
students can see what happens.
  When students have altercations in the school, they are hauled into 
court to be judged by their peers, says Dr. Scott. This helps them 
learn to handle conflict without violence, and to resolve differences 
without fighting. ``They coined the phrase, `Don't hold a grudge--take 
it to the judge,' '' Dr. Scott says. Her innovative program enhances 
her students to become a part of the judicial system. ``They are tired 
of being this side of the court, and want to be on the other side of 
the court,'' she said. ``This teaches them to think on their feet, 
research the law, and gives them practical skills.''
  Fairmount Alternative school has 150 students and 12 teachers, and 
specializes in working with students on a more individualized basis 
than most schools. Most students attend the school for 9-week stints.
  The innovative program has landed Dr. Scott many awards, as well as 
an appearance on Japanese television.
  These teachers have given a lot to the children they have worked with 
over the years. They have given to their communities. I want to thank 
them publicly for their effort, and to thank USA TODAY for providing 
them with this public recognition.




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