[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 16, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MONINA SUNGA RECIPIENT OF 2001 PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN 
               MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHING (PAEMST)

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 16, 2002

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, the Presidential Awards for Excellence in 
Mathematics and Science Teaching Program (PAEMST) is designed to 
recognize our nation's outstanding teachers. Administered by the 
National Science Foundation (NSF), recipients of the program's awards 
serve as role models for peers. They focus interest upon the teaching 
profession, encourage high quality teachers to remain in the field of 
education, and generate the enthusiasm required to foster the next 
generation of teachers.
  One of the outstanding individuals to be honored this year is Ms. 
Monina Sunga, a science teacher from the Vicente S.A. Benavente Middle 
School in Dededo, Guam. Monina joined fellow-awardees from all over the 
United States in a visit to our Nation's capital where they were 
honored for their achievements. During her visit to Washington, DC, she 
had the opportunity to meet and confer with government and education 
officials along with other awardees. Having received this honor, she 
became part of a growing network of exceptional teachers.
  Monina has been described as ``a teacher who takes a hand, opens a 
mind and touches a heart.'' To her students, she is a counselor, 
supporter and friend. Having been a teacher on Guam for more than 
twenty-five years, Monina claims to have found the ``fountain of 
youth'' within her mind and within her classroom. Convinced that her 
youthful disposition is derived from her students, she has made it 
known that she intends to say as a classroom instructor for as long as 
she is able to do so. To her fellow teachers she imparts the knowledge 
that the true joy of teaching is achieved when teachers ultimately 
inspire students to learn.
  As a science teacher, Monina found that going beyond the assigned 
readings is a very efficient method of teaching the subject. She firmly 
believes that healthy interaction in conjunction with hands-on training 
for the children are keys to successful learning. She encourages her 
students to use their natural environment as their laboratories. Her 
students are acquainted with learning tools derived from the simplest 
of things and they respond with great enthusiasm to her teaching 
method.
  In addition to the prestige Monina brings to her school and the pride 
she instills in her students, the rewards of being a PAEMST awardee 
also includes a grant of $7,500 which will be employed for the benefit 
of her school. This goes a long way towards furthering her goals and 
examples.
  It gives me great pleasure to recognize and highlight the 
contributions of Ms. Monina Sunga and her fellow teachers. Having been 
a former classroom teacher herself, I am aware of the sacrifices and 
high standards expected from those in the teaching profession. I would 
like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and admiration 
for the teachers whose constant contributions instill exemplary values 
and shape the lives of our children, our communities and our future.

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