[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 73 (Thursday, June 6, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E981-E982]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RON GNATKOWSKI: LAYING A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR STUDENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 2002

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ron Gnatkowski as he 
prepares to retire after 29 years as a public school teacher with 
Saginaw Township Community Schools. Ron deserves our highest praise and 
gratitude for his devotion to teaching and for consistently displaying 
the patience and understanding children need to blossom in and out of 
the classroom.
  The sixth of seven children, Ron grew up in Saginaw, Michigan. After 
serving in the U.S. Army, Ron earned his bachelor's degree from Saginaw 
Valley State University in 1972. He later earned a master's degree from 
Central Michigan University and another master's degree from Saginaw 
Valley State University. He has worked for Saginaw Township Community 
Schools since 1973.
  As a kindergarten and first-grade teacher at Plainfield Elementary 
School for the past 19 years, Ron has been a top-notch role model for 
students, parents and colleagues. Historically, few men have accepted 
the challenges of teaching kindergarten and first-grade, but Ron never 
let such perceived barriers hold him back. As a result, his passion for 
teaching those early elementary years and his great success in doing so 
has inspired other male teachers to follow his path.
  However, Ron's gender was not the only thing that set him apart. 
Throughout his tenure, Ron has always led by example. His work ethic 
and innovative ideas for teaching young boys and girls set a high 
standard at his school and throughout the district. In addition, Ron's 
unparalleled classroom skills and his commitment to children have made 
him a perfect mentor to younger colleagues and a valuable resource for 
others working to become better educators.
  It also is noteworthy that Ron extended his expertise to improve 
schools beyond his professional responsibilities by serving on the

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Carrollton Public Schools Board of Education since 1988. As a board 
member, he has been a strong advocate for educators, students and 
taxpayers. He also has been active with the Association for the 
Education of Young Children, having served on the State Board of 
Directors of that organization for four years and on the local board 
for the past 14 years.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I wish to pay tribute to Ron Gnatkowski for all 
that he has done for our schools in Saginaw County and throughout the 
state. I am confident that he will continue to lend his voice to 
improve education and I wish him a well-earned and enjoyable 
retirement.