[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING JOAN KELSCH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 2004

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joan Kelsch for 
being honored by the Boyertown Area Times and the Boyertown Jaycees as 
the Educator of the Year for 29 years of dedicated service as a teacher 
at the Saint Francis Academy in Bally, Pennsylvania.
  Joan Kelsch, a graduate of West Chester University in Pennsylvania, 
has been teaching at Saint Francis Academy for 29 years. She began her 
career teaching fourth graders and has consistently demonstrated her 
dedication to education. While on maternity leave after the birth of 
each of her two children, she continued her teaching efforts as a 
substitute.
  In 1982, recognizing her dedication and passion, Joan was asked by 
Father Joseph Fricker to create a kindergarten program for St. Francis 
Academy. Joan eagerly took on this task and created the first 
kindergarten class for the school consisting of thirty students.
  Joan has been credited with creating an exciting and enriching 
learning environment for her students, while also enhancing the 
curriculum of several programs throughout the school. Her students have 
art work decorating the rooms and, not only does this artwork display 
the abilities of the children, but it also highlights the talent that 
Joan possesses as a teacher. Joan has created several learning devices 
for children, such as literature tea parties, where the students learn 
etiquette while also challenging their reading skills and vocabulary 
with students from the fifth grade. In this challenge, the students are 
also encouraged to use their imagination by creating new words and new 
definitions.
  As a teacher in a Roman Catholic school, Joan also has the 
responsibility for aiding the spiritual guidance of her students. She 
prepares the students for the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy 
Communion. In addition, Joan is also a religion coordinator for St. 
Francis Academy. She attends yearly meetings to help update textbooks 
and curriculum for Catholic school students.
  Outside of the classroom, Joan acts a Staff Liaison to the Home and 
School Association where she attends monthly meetings. Joan also spends 
her time volunteering in her community. Each summer, Joan and her 
husband, William, volunteer at the annual church carnival and, every 
fall, Joan works at the Santa Secret Shop at the annual bazaar for the 
school.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing 
Joan Kelsch for her many years of exemplary service to St. Francis 
Academy's community.

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