[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 107 (Wednesday, September 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN CELEBRATION OF MARTHA BARRETT'S DEDICATION TO EDUCATION

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                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 2000

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Martha Barrett, whose 
energy and dedication in her classroom and to her profession has earned 
her the honor as Ventura County's Teacher of the Year.
  Mrs. Barrett brings an entrepreneur's drive to teaching, totally 
immersing herself in her chosen profession, which isn't surprising when 
one considers that business was her chosen field when she entered San 
Diego State University. However, the future educator found joy by 
teaching a weekend religion class and switched to education, earning 
her master's degree and teaching credential.
  She now teaches students and her peers at Oxnard Elementary School 
District.
  Mrs. Barrett is a 17-year teaching veteran, teaching our youngest 
students to read, write and think. She is also a lifelong student, 
remaining current on the latest technology and teaching tools and 
sharing them with her peers.
  After years of serving as a mentor to her fellow teachers, Mrs. 
Barrett was assigned to the district's Peer Assistance and Review 
program last week. In that role, Mrs. Barrett will help struggling 
teachers and coach others who wish to improve their skills.
  There is little doubt her peers will benefit from Mrs. Barrett's 
insight. Administrators say they often have to turn away teachers who 
clamor to attend the numerous teaching workshops Mrs. Barrett has 
conducted. Her superintendent, Richard Duarte, has been quoted as 
calling her ``truly a master teacher.''
  The mother of three also is active in her own children's schools and 
has been a team mom for her children's soccer teams. The Barretts have 
hosted exchange students from Japan and Spain.
  Mr. Speaker, as America focuses on improving education, Mrs. Barrett 
serves as a model of what we expect and need from our teachers. 
Teaching is not a job to Mrs. Barrett. It's a calling. She works hard, 
she cares about her students, and she cares about her profession. She 
also cares enough to help her peers reach higher, so their students can 
too.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating Mrs. 
Barrett on her achievement, in thanking her for a job very well done, 
and in wishing her future successes in the classroom and in her 
profession.

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