[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 106 (Thursday, July 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1449-E1450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN HONOR OF REBECCA WATSON'S DEDICATION TO TEACHING

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                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, today I stand before you to honor a woman 
that exemplifies the qualities that are greatly needed in the education 
system today, Rebecca Watson. A creative, caring and committed teacher, 
Rebecca has spent her entire teaching career shaping the minds of the 
students that have passed through the halls of Taylor Elementary School 
in Palisade, Colorado. For two consecutive years, Rebecca has been 
nominated for the Disney Teacher of the Year award, and although she 
did not receive the award last year, the compliment of a second 
nomination this year speaks volumes of her influence as a teacher.
  Rebecca is a life long resident of the Palisade area; in fact she 
attended the same elementary school in which she now teaches.

[[Page E1450]]

She also attended Palisade High School where she participated in many 
activities, including spending three years as a Varsity Cheerleader. 
Rebecca was eager to continue her education, leaving for Fort Lewis 
College in Durango, Colorado the summer after graduation, while her 
future classmates stayed home. During the course of her college career, 
Rebecca participated in a unique program by spending the summer 
educating young women in the correctional facilities near Denver, 
Colorado. The program was a great learning experience, teaching both 
Rebecca and the girls lessons that they could carry with them the rest 
of their lives.
  In the 26 years that Rebecca has been at Taylor Elementary she has 
taught a number of grades, but kindergarten is the grade level that she 
has grown to love. Rebecca continued to challenge herself and received 
her Masters Degree in Elementary education. In addition, she attends 
the Kindergarten Convention for elementary teachers every year. The 
minute you walk into her classroom you are sent back to being a five 
year old once again. The class is packed with colorful Sesame Street 
characters illustrating the alphabet or numbers. The irrepressible 
Cookie Monster is everywhere, reminding students that learning is fun. 
She is well respected among her peers and is often sought after for 
advice on classroom technique. Dee Crane, principal at Taylor, calls 
Mrs. Watson ``a real star.'' She compliments Rebecca on her creativity, 
her love of the kids, and dedication. Rebecca is not only recognized by 
Taylor Elementary staff, but she also received the Mesa County School 
District Teacher of the Year Award in 1999. The nomination for Disney's 
Teacher of the Year was a surprise only to Rebecca. Although she was 
not chosen for the honor last year, she was asked to share her ideas 
from the ``cookie class'' on the Disney website. This year Rebecca was 
nominated for the honor again. It is inspirational to know at a time 
when our education system is under such critical attack that there are 
teachers going above and beyond to insure the students leaving there 
class have every advantage.
  Mr. Speaker, as Rebecca's husband Allen, and daughters Kelly and 
Jodie, along with friends and colleagues wait to hear the final word on 
the Disney Teacher of the Year Award, I would like to wish her luck and 
thank her for her efforts. If all the teachers in this great Nation 
would follow Rebecca's example, the education system in the United 
States would benefit greatly. That said, I ask Congress to honor 
Rebecca Watson, she is truly an inspiration to not only her Colorado 
colleagues, but to teachers around the country.-

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