[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 112 (Friday, September 17, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING MARK KOHL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 17, 2004

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mark Kohl, a 
teacher at Lodi High School, who was recently named Wisconsin Teacher 
of the Year. Kohl is one of only four teachers to receive this honor. 
His success as a teacher comes from the trust and encouragement he 
gives his students. He allows his students to establish the standards 
and expectations that govern the classroom, and encourages them to take 
ownership of their learning. Education is put into action in Kohl's 
classroom where both teacher and students voice the characteristics of 
the kind of teacher and student they want to be, and together they 
pledge to be the very best. Activities such as these make Kohl and his 
students partners in the learning process.
  Beyond the classroom, Kohl is the school district's forensics coach. 
For more than 20 years he has taken the time to teach and motivate 
students in the art of public speaking. In addition, he is an active 
participant in the community. He helped found the Lodi Stepping Stones 
Theater and volunteers with the Friends of the Arts group as well as 
the Lodi Challenger 4-H. Every year he assists in a weekend community 
reading of the local classic, ``The Sand County Almanac.''
  Students, colleagues, and parents are fond of Kohl and his work both 
at school and in the community. His students attest to his caring 
nature and his ability to understand them and encourage them to reach 
their potential. Fellow Lodi High School colleagues admire his teaching 
style that allows him to connect with students and engage them both in 
the classroom and the world around them. Parents of Kohl's students are 
appreciative of his work to prepare their students for life beyond 
school and their place in the community.
  Mark Kohl's success and impact as a teacher is reflected in each of 
the students he has inspired over his many years of teaching at Lodi 
High School. I join Kohl's family and friends, the Lodi community, and 
the Wisconsin Department of Education in congratulating him as 
Wisconsin Teacher of the Year.