[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E564-E565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN APPRECIATION OF CATHEY J. NEWHOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. NICK SMITH

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 17, 2002

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Cathey J. 
Newhouse, a teacher at Parnall Elementary School in Jackson, Michigan 
and recipient of the 2001 Presidential Award for Excellence in 
Mathematics and Science Teaching. I request that her recent testimony 
before the Science Committee be placed in the Congressional Record.

                    Statement of Cathey J. Newhouse

       Thank you Chairman Boehlert and Congressman Smith for 
     holding the Congressional Record open and allowing me to add 
     my ideas on improving science education to those shared on 
     March 20, 2002.
       I have been an active learner and lover of science for most 
     of my life. I have been an elementary teacher in Jackson, 
     Michigan for 14 years. I believe that at the elementary 
     level, enthusiasm for and interest in science are crucial, 
     probably even more important than the teaching of facts and 
     concepts in science. Young children need to know with 
     certainty that science is fun to learn! However, science is a 
     scary subject for many elementary teachers.
       I would like to see a two-fold commitment to funding for 
     improving science instruction. First, teachers need 
     professional development to increase their knowledge in 
     specific science disciplines. This needs to be an on-going 
     and consistent professional development, not just a one-time 
     event. Teachers

[[Page E565]]

     should be given the opportunity to yearly attend workshops or 
     conferences and to process with colleagues the information 
     gained.
       Secondly, I strongly believe that funding needs to be 
     provided to have a science consultant in each elementary 
     building. This person would function as a teacher of 
     teachers, helping new and veteran teachers with all aspects 
     of teaching the science curriculum. I had the opportunity 
     during 2001 to work for the Jackson County Intermediate 
     School District in Michigan as such a science specialist. In 
     this role, I assisted other teachers with planning, improving 
     teaching methodology, locating appropriate activities and 
     materials, and developing skills in inquiry science teaching. 
     The improvement I saw in teachers'confidence and competence 
     during my tenure as a science teacher specialist was 
     dramatic.
       If funding specifically designated for consistent, on-going 
     professional development in science could be coupled with 
     funding for a science specialist to assist teachers in each 
     elementary building. I believe we would see a very 
     significant increase in the quantity and quality of science 
     learning taking place in our schools.
       Thank you for recognizing the 2001 Presidential Awardees, 
     thank you for your continued support of science and math 
     education, and thank you for giving me this opportunity to 
     express my views.

     

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