[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 74 (Wednesday, June 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1005-E1006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO SUSIE HAAS--2000 NATIONAL TEACHER'S HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 2000

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, today I commend Kindergarten Teacher Susie 
Haas, one

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of only five, who will be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of 
Fame in 2000. I am particularly proud, because Susie teaches at one of 
my own hometown elementary schools in Corona, California--the John 
Adams Elementary School. In fact, I went to school with Susie. Susie, I 
promise not to tell any stories if you'll do the same for me!
  Susie says, and I quote, that her ``philosophical beliefs concerning 
how children make sense of the world around them are the foundation of 
the instructional program I have created for my students. I believe all 
children deserve to be taught in an environment that will promote, 
value, and nurture their natural desire to learn.''
  Susie's own teaching philosophy seems like common sense--
straightforward and easy. However, it is the hands-on practice of her 
philosophy that has made such an incredible impact on all of the 
children and parents with whom she has come into contact. As a result, 
Susie has been recognized numerous times by her students, colleagues, 
community, state and nation. In 1999 alone, Susie was a Disney American 
Teacher of the Year Honoree, California Teacher of the Year, one of the 
Inland Empire Magazine's ``Teachers Making a Difference,'' Walmart 
Teacher of the Year, Riverside County Teacher of the Year and Corona-
Norco Unified School District Teacher of the Year.
  And Susie has not stopped her work at the door of her own classroom. 
She has written a variety of documents and books and given seminars 
across the United States to share her expertise in teaching, most 
significantly in literacy instruction. The Lap-Reading program created 
by Susie has educated thousands of parents across the nation on how 
they can boost their own child's school performance by offering monthly 
ideas on how parents can increase reading at home. For her students, 
she has created Spot, a stuffed classroom mascot, who travels home with 
each child two nights each year. Spot has done almost everything from 
birthday parties to dentist visits. All of the adventures have been 
recounted in drawings and writings by each child into Spot's personal 
journal.
  Mr. Speaker, as we debate the need to reform our education system 
this year and years to come, I ask my colleagues to look in their own 
backyard for advice from teachers, parents and students. They are 
living and breathing the adventures of literacy, the key to success for 
all future generations. To Susie Haas, I offer my deepest appreciation. 
Her passion and commitment to teaching America's next generation is 
truly awesome and inspiring.

                          ____________________