[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 18 (Thursday, February 24, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNITION OF WIND RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL'S MS. TRACI ECCLES

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, last month I had the pleasure of 
visiting Wind River Middle School in Stevenson, WA. One of the reasons 
why the students at this school excel is because of its teachers and 
the commitment they demonstrate each day in their classrooms. One of 
the teachers who has made a tremendous impact on the education of her 
students is Ms. Traci Eccles. Ms. Eccles is a dedicated professional, a 
staff leader, a team player and most importantly, a teacher who 
encourages her students to grow. I would like to take this opportunity 
to recognize Ms. Eccles' commitment to her students and award her with 
my 32d Innovation in Education Award.
  As a teacher of language arts to 7th and 8th grade students for more 
than a decade, she is constantly working to improve the lives of her 
students. She has also teamed up with her colleagues to create school-
wide programs on topics such as health and nutrition, student 
tolerance, and a hands-on study of the respective decades of the 20th 
century.
  Six years ago, Ms. Eccles and her colleagues wanted to create more 
tolerance amongst their students and started a program to examine 
intolerance in the world and its impact. Eighth grade students must 
read a book by Elie Weisel, titled ``Night,'' that tells the stories of 
human suffering and degradation during the Holocaust. The students must 
also keep journals and take part in discussions of current events.
  Student reaction to the Tolerance Unit has been profound. At the end 
of the unit, teachers can see a much higher level of awareness among 
students reflected in how they treat and respond to each other. I 
applaud Ms. Eccles and her colleagues for taking the initiative and 
developing a program that has impacted their students such a positive 
way.
  In addition, Ms. Eccles took on another project to give students a 
first-hand look at their country's history through a program called the 
Decades Unit. The entire school is divided into different groups and 
participates in a week long program where students put together 
historical fashion shows, learn and perform popular dances of each 
decade, and create a time-line outlining significant events in United 
States history.
  Ms. Eccles' great work deserves our recognition. Through their 
creative ideas, dedication and hard work, Ms. Eccles and her fellow 
teachers have improved the lives of our children and created a greater 
sense of community and togetherness in their school.
  My many visits to schools around Washington state have shown me that 
the people who see our kids everyday are the ones who should have the 
greatest say in their education. It is teachers like Ms. Eccles who are 
both the true strength of our education system and who can prepare our 
kids with a foundation for the future. I will continue my work to give 
teachers like Ms. Eccles more freedom to innovate and improve the lives 
of our children.

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