[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 12, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING TEACHERS IN BURR RIDGE, IL

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                           HON. JUDY BIGGERT

                               of illnois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2004

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor five outstanding 
teachers in my district: Virginia Bojan, Cate Nufer, Beverly Oliveri, 
Nancy Taylor, and Patricia Trudicks.
  Virginia Bojan, a language arts and science teacher at Elm Elementary 
School in Burr Ridge, is retiring after 33 years of dedicated teaching. 
She is well respected among her peers for her excellent teaching 
methods and pleasant demeanor. Her students also love and respect her. 
It is obvious that Mrs. Bojan loves teaching, and this love is 
reflected in her devotion to her students. She will most certainly be 
missed.
  Elm Elementary School also will be losing Cate Nufer, who is retiring 
after 36 years. Ms. Nufer is a talented teacher who is recognized for 
her leadership in the areas of writing and social studies. Her students 
have consistently excelled on all state tests. She has made a positive 
impact on hundreds of students in both their academic and personal 
development.
  Beverly Oliveri is also retiring after 34 years of teaching and 
directing curriculum for School District 181 in Burr Ridge. Her work in 
mathematics led to a revision in curriculum to improve the way math is 
taught in the district. Her students always look forward to her unique 
style of story telling as a teaching method. Her love of life and of 
teaching is evident to all who encounter her.
  Nancy Taylor is retiring after 34 years teaching language arts and 
mathematics. She has contributed to both the academic and social 
development of hundreds of children throughout her career. Her students 
thrive on her soft-spoken, gentle approach that helps her students. Her 
care and understanding of each child as an individual will be 
remembered.
  Last but most certainly not least, Patricia Trudicks is retiring 
after 36 years of dedicated teaching. Ms. Trudicks is recognized in 
District 181 for her leadership in developing the Media Resource 
Center, which has become the hub of the school. It is continually 
updated to reflect the season, upcoming holidays and community events, 
and ongoing teaching units and student interests. Ms. Trudicks has 
shown how to make the library an exciting place for students and to 
encourage them to learn through the resources it provides. Her ability 
to provide children with hands-on experiences they will not forget has 
been greatly respected and will be deeply missed.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct privilege to honor these five teachers 
for their countless hours of hard work and dedication. They have 
positively impacted the lives of thousands of children, and their 
contributions to education will be recognized for many years to come. 
Teaching may be the most difficult profession, and these five 
outstanding educators are among the best. I know the students, parents 
and faculty of Elm Elementary are sad to see them retire, but join me 
in offering these outstanding teachers our heartfelt thanks and 
congratulations.

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