[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 124 (Friday, September 21, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1687]]



                   PAYING TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL REYELTS

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                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity and 
pay tribute to Michael Reyelts for his significant contributions to our 
educational system. Mr. Reyelts teaches English as a second language to 
students at the Colorado Mountain College in Rifle, Colorado. Through 
his lessons, he not only teaches English, but he also educates students 
on how to adapt to American society. He has been a positive influence 
on many members of our community.
  Mr. Reyelts studied Spanish while attending high school and mastered 
the language while on a two-year church mission to Argentina, where he 
worked both in cities and in remote areas. Upon returning from 
Argentina, he attended Brigham Young University where he studied 
secondary education and English as a second language. In 1999, Michael 
received his masters in education with an emphasis in English as a 
second language.
  Dozens of students attend his classes three nights a week. Michael 
has adopted a style of teaching that has proven to be very successful. 
He creates a comfortable atmosphere within the classroom by joking 
around with his students and making them feel at ease in what can be a 
stressful situation. His instruction certainly contains grammar lessons 
but Michael also tries to stress a practical understanding of the 
English language that his students will hear in every day life. Michael 
Reyelts does not stop simply at teaching the English language. He also 
relates current events to his students as a means of providing examples 
for understanding the English language.
  Mr. Speaker, Michael Reyelts truly cares about his students and 
provides them with the valuable skills that increase their confidence 
and provide them more opportunities to reach their goals. I would like 
to thank him for his commitment to such an important cause and 
congratulate him on his achievements.

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