[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 79 (Friday, June 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1059]]
   HONORING LOUISE BELKIN, FRANK JOSLYN, AND TERRY WERDEN FOR THEIR 
  OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO TEACHING AT THE WEST DISTRICT 
                   SCHOOL IN FARMINGTON, CONNECTICUT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NANCY L. JOHNSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2002

  Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge 
the achievements of three excellent teachers from West District School 
in Farmington, Connecticut. They are Mrs. Louise Belkin, Mr. Frank 
Joslyn, and Mrs. Terry Werden. All three will leave West District at 
the end of the 2001-2002 school year.
  Mrs. Belkin has been an elementary school teacher in the Farmington 
School System for 33 years, teaching at West District for 27 years. She 
has been a leader in the field of mathematics and served as the 
school's math resource teacher for 14 years. During this time, she 
created and composed math curriculum and assessments for the district 
as well as organized and taught the district's math summer school 
program. She has served as an elementary-level representative to the 
ATOMIC Executive Board and a PIMMS Fellow. In 2001, she co-authored a 
geometry book to be used by teachers published by the National Council 
of Teachers of Mathematics. Mrs. Belkin has actively served in the 
Farmington Education Association, serving as the building 
representative for ten years, treasurer for fourteen years and a member 
of the negotiations committee through five contracts.
  Over the past 20 years, Mrs. Belkin has arranged for me to hold 
annual press conferences for West District School's fifth grade. I have 
looked forward to this every year and regret that Mrs. Belkin's 
retirement and the change in the grade structure in the Farmington 
School system mean the end of these events at West District School.
  Mr. Frank Joslyn was recognized as Farmington's Teacher of the Year 
for 1993-94. He served with the Farmington Education Association as a 
building representative, a Council member and an officer. He developed 
and implemented a ``Homes of America'' program for both parents and 
children, teaching them history through architecture. He also co-
planned and produced the annual Veteran's Day Program at West District 
School. And he served as West District's ``lead teacher'' for more than 
8 weeks during the prolonged illness of the principal. Mr. Joslyn's 
influence on the school body and fellow members of the faculty has been 
tremendous. He has shared his artistic skills to enhance the school 
building, designing a display case, memorial benches, banners as well 
as the school's letterhead and note cards and a memorial sculpture. 
While everyone at West District School will miss Mr. Joslyn's 
leadership and artistic insight, we take comfort in the knowledge that 
the students at Farmington's new 5-6 school will benefit from his 
talents and abilities.
  Mrs. Terry Werden has been with West District School for 34 years, 
serving as the Science Resource Teacher for 13 years. She served as an 
outdoor educator, organized the ``Kids and Chemistry'' nights for 
several years and introduced the ``Invention Convention'' the West 
District School's Grade 5. She also has given her time as an active 
member of the Farmington Education Association, and as a member of 
curriculum teams for writing, science and social studies. She currently 
has three students whose parents she also taught in the Farmington 
School system. Mrs. Werden is a dedicated public servant and her 
influence has been strongly felt throughout West District School and 
the families it serves. Her presence within our walls will be greatly 
missed, as she moves on to teach at Farmington's new 5-6 school.
  These three educators have served on the same team for a quarter of a 
century. Combined, their efforts have amounted to 93 years of service 
at the West District School. The children, parents and families whose 
lives have been touched by their expertise and dedication can never 
forget the example of public service these three outstanding educators 
have set. I wish them well in all their future endeavors.

                          ____________________