[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 7, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MS. JOAN KNISS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 7, 2001

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Ms. Joan Kniss of 
Brighton, Colorado, the 2001 Colorado Teacher of the Year. This 
prestigious recognition is no small honor. This year brought 3,500 
teachers throughout the State of Colorado into competition for this 
prestigious award. Ms. Kniss, I am proud to say, teaches English at 
Brighton High School which is located within the congressional district 
I represent.
  The Colorado Teacher of the Year Program is Colorado's oldest and 
most prestigious honors program which recognizes the contributions of 
the classroom teacher. The nominee must be an exceptionally skilled, 
dedicated, and knowledgeable classroom teacher. The standards for the 
award are high. The Colorado Teacher of the Year must inspire students 
of all backgrounds and abilities to learn, have the respect and 
admiration of students, parents, and colleagues, play an active and 
useful role in the community as well as in the school, and demonstrate 
high levels of academic achievement for their students.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt the best teacher in the Great State of 
Colorado won in 2001. Ms. Kniss began her teaching career in Colorado 
in 1973 at North Junior High in Brighton, Colorado. For eight years, 
she worked within the school district on special assignment. Since 
1984, she has served as a language arts teacher at Brighton High 
School. Mr. Speaker, through her many years as an interested teacher, 
Ms. Kniss has exemplified true dedication to Colorado's children and 
parents.
  Every applicant for Colorado Teacher of the Year must submit an 
essay. Mr. Speaker, in her essay, Ms. Kniss wrote, ``[W]e must focus on 
partnerships: teachers must be learning partners with their students; 
teachers must be partners with parents, and teachers must form 
partnerships with community members.'' Mr. Speaker, interested parents 
and teachers produce successful students. Successful teachers, like Ms. 
Kniss, are those who look to the future knowing the basis for their 
students' success is a background of solid academics.
  Again, today on the floor of the House of Representatives, I say 
congratulations thank you to Joan Kniss, the 2001 Colorado Teacher of 
the Year, for her many years of educating Colorado's students.

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