[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING EIGHT NORTHWEST INDIANA EDUCATORS

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 13, 2000

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, today I commend eight dedicated teachers 
from Northwest Indiana who have been voted outstanding educators by 
their peers for the 1999-2000 school year. These individuals, Debra 
Ciochina, Douglas DeLaughter, Brenda Greene, Dennis Keithley, Martin 
Kessler, Marilyn Qualls, Martiann Recktenwall and Sharron Thornton, 
will be presented the Crystal Apple Award at a reception sponsored by 
the Indiana State Teachers Association. This glorious event will take 
place at the Broadmoor Country Club in Merrillville, Indiana, on 
Wednesday, May 3, 2000.
  Debra Ciochina, from Crown Point Community School Corporation, has 
taught for 30 years. Currently, she teaches at Crown Point High School, 
where she has been the assistant director of the Crown Point High 
School Theater for five years. She also coaches the Crown Point High 
School Dance Team. As a freelance director, choreographer and performer 
for community theaters and schools, she has written and produced 
various original productions. Debra not only finds interesting ways to 
help her English and Speech classes learn important concepts, she also 
makes her students enjoy learning. Her charismatic personality 
transfers enthusiasm for her subject area to her students. She embraces 
the idea that each of us must find an individual passion and be true to 
one's convictions.
  Douglas DeLaughter is described by his peers as an outstandingly 
professional and dedicated teacher. He has taught for 17 years, and is 
current working within the School Town of Munster. Doug has dedicated 
himself to understanding and displaying the aspects of being a 
professional in the field of education. His enthusiasm and love for 
education is truly contagious, for Doug inspires those around him to 
strive for excellence. Doug's commitment and love for children and 
their education has been seen in the number of hours he devotes to his 
job, the number of committees he has taken a leadership role in, and 
the programs he has instituted.
  Brenda Greene has been a role model, inspiration and a coach during 
her 22 years of teaching. She currently teaches Speech and English in 
the North Newton School Corporation. Her commitment to students is 
obvious. As a professional educator, Brenda works closely with her 
students during and after school, ensuring that they do their best. Her 
colleagues know her as a dedicated teacher because she puts so much 
time into coaching the speech team, serving as a Building 
Representative, and fighting for the improvement of education.
  Dennis Keithley teaches Language Arts at Lowell Middle School and has 
been a teacher within the Tri-Creek School Corporation for 31 years. 
Dennis graduated from Lowell High School and returned to teach in 
Lowell where his family has lived for many years. Dennis is a true 
champion of his students. He attends sporting events, music programs, 
drama productions, and graduation exercises in support of the students. 
Not only does Dennis care about his students, he also cares about his 
co-workers. Dennis has worked tirelessly for the Tri-Creek Teachers 
Organization by serving as its co-president for the last eight years. 
Additionally, he has served on the negotiating team, the high school 
air quality committee, the retirement benefits committee, the finance 
committee, and the teacher's evaluation committee. Dennis' dedication 
to the profession of teaching is exemplary.
  Martin Kessler teaches math in the School Town of Highland. He has 
been a dedicated teacher to all of his students for the past 31 years. 
His sense of humor and teaching style has withstood the test of time. 
He is an entertainer as much as an educator and the kids love it! 
Martin makes learning math fun even for students who have had 
difficulty in the past. Through his caring attitude, Martin exhibits a 
great deal of thoughtfulness towards both student and teachers. He is 
involved in the local Indiana Teacher's Association and always supports 
his fellow teachers with action, not just words.
  Marilyn Qualls from the Lake Central School Corporation always puts 
kids first. Throughout her career as an elementary teacher she has made 
personal sacrifices of time and effort to make sure each child in her 
classroom succeeds. Additionally, as a Building Representative, member 
of the District Council, and part of the bargaining team, she has 
always represented the teachers to the best of her ability. Marilyn is 
a continuous source of enthusiasm for her students and others as well.
  For the past 20 years, Martiann Rectenwall has been an asset to the 
Hanover Community School Corporation. She creates interesting and 
innovative lessons that inspire her students to reach their fullest 
potential. Martiann inspires creative thought and promotes higher level 
thinking skills in all of her lessons. Her colleagues know her as a 
dedicated teacher since she puts so much time into developing special 
projects for her students. For Martiann, working extra hours or 
creating new teaching strategies to help her students achieve is not 
unusual.
  Sharron Thornton from Lake Central School Corporation is truly a 
devoted educator. Throughout her 25 years career at Peifer Elementary 
School, she has trained numerous student teachers. Her guidance is very 
important because of her methods of dealing with children and 
academics. She strives to be approachable and communicates well with 
administrators, fellow teachers, students and parents. Her special 
inner core of education-related beliefs and opinions are well received 
and respected.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me in 
commending these outstanding educators on their receipt of the 1999-
2000 Crystal Apple Award. The years of hard work they have put forth in 
shaping the minds and futures of Northwest Indiana's young people is a 
true inspiration to us all.

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