[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 123 (Monday, October 4, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10359-S10361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MINNESOTA'S FAVORITE TEACHERS
Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, Recently I invited Minnesotans to honor
their favorite teachers. The response was overwhelming.
Over 4,000 Minnesotans nominated their favorite teachers. Many
teachers were nominated more than once. Current students nominated
present teachers. Older Minnesotans nominated teachers from years, even
decades, ago.
Many of the honored teachers are still actively teaching; others are
now retired; some have passed away. I wish there was time here and
space in the Congressional Record to read all of the words of
admiration and gratitude, which accompanied those 4,000 nominations.
They were truly heartwarming. Very successful adults credited special
teachers with turning their lives around; helping them to recognize
their undiscovered talents, or sparking interests which led to their
successful careers.
The specific details varied but the conclusions were the same. Those
teachers made huge differences in the lives of their students. They
saved lives. They made lives. They taught more than their subjects.
They taught ways of thinking, ways of being. They taught study skills
and the value of hard work. They helped boys and girls; young women and
young men to find themselves, to believe in themselves, and to better
themselves. They helped young dreamers learn how to live out those
dreams and how to make them life-enhancing realities.
We do too little to credit and honor the many teachers--dedicated men
and women--who perform these human miracles for our children. They are
modestly paid at best, underpaid at worst, although most of them do not
teach for monetary rewards. They teach for their love of teaching, for
the joys of performing their magical awakening of young minds to new
possibilities. They take personal satisfaction in their own knowledge
of their successes, even when they are seldom recognized and
appreciated by the rest of us. It may be only years later that someone
thinks to note their incredible contributions. Now is one those
moments.
Sadly, in Minnesota, there is mostly bashing and trashing of public
school teachers and public schools. They are paid $2,500 less than the
national averages for public school K-12 teachers. Their class sizes
are larger than the national average. State support for public school
students is declining, both in real dollars and relative to other
states. They are asked to do more and more, with less and less.
The least we can do is to say thank you, when they do their jobs
well. I encourage my fellow Minnesotans to thank a teacher this week or
this month, and next week or next month. Either a present or former
teacher. For a special job, well done. They deserve it. They have
earned it.
I ask unanimous consent that names of teachers nominated by
Minnesotans as their favorite teachers be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
ABE Program (Burnsville)--Dorien Busch; Academia Cesar
Chavez--Melissa Deeb; Academy of Hly Angels--Nancy
Alcombright, Johanna Giesen, Kate Hanson, Mary Jonas, James
Page, Gregg Sawyer; Academy of Saints Peter & Paul--Rachel
Gapinsky, Molly Green-Tandberg, Mrs. Whitmore; Adams
Elementary (Coon Rapids)--Jenny Popp, Tim Simonson; Adams
Magnet Elementary (St. Paul)--Casey Cavenaugh, Ruth Gandara,
Tatiana Leiva, Andrea Marcy, Marina Median, Amy Ottaviani,
Tamara Ramirez, Shelly Stevens, Carrie Webber; Adrian
Elementary--Jolene Henning; Afton-Lakeland Elementary--
Caronline DeRuck, Colleen Hayne, Derek Olson; AGAPE-ALC (St.
Paul)--Rosemary Dosch; Akin Road Elementary--Anita
Ruthenbeck; Albany High School--Bill Krogman; Albert Lea High
School--Jill Donahue, Paul Kile; Albertville ECSE Program--
Linda Foss; Albrook School--Kit Davis, Sandra Olson; Alden-
Conger Secondary School--Marty Anderson; Alice Smith
Elementary--Anne Crowe, Ms. Lynch, Martha Mason, Jody Olson,
Carla Perrier, Shelley Varner; Alta Elementary--Cary
Friedrich; Alternative Learning Center (Norwood-Young
America)--Dennis Stanek; American Indian Magnet--Ms.
Fairbanks, Heidi Nakatani; Ames Elementary--John Weimholt;
Anderson Open Elementary--Deb Becker, Martha Purcell, Jo
Thies, Tony Trelles; Andover--Patti Bollinger; Andover
Elementary--Mrs. Bastian, Gail Fessler, Mrs. Vanarsedale,
Linda Zdenek, Terry Zumberg, Sue Casey; Andover High School--
Deb Aaarsch, Stew Lasky, Renee Voltin; Annandale Middle
School--Troy Davidson, Pam Peterson; Anne Sullivan
Communication Center--Susette Brandon, Pat Coonen-Korte,
Molly Coyne, Sharon DeLisle, Joyce Graham, Alan Husby, Ron
Hustvedt, Sue Levahn; Annuciation School--Marie Murphy, Mrs.
Nixon, Mary Strickland; Anoka--Joleen Lundeen; Anoka High
School--Mr. Alhquist, Mr. Baufield, Scott Birklid, Jeff
Buerkle, Mr. Coffee, Marilee Gustafson, Peter Hayes, Morrie
Johnson, Paul Kelley, Bob and Susan Kimball, Mr. Rignell,
Brenda Selander, Mr. Wicks;
Anoka-Ramsey Community College--Steve Beste, Gorrdy Wax;
Anoka-Hennepin Community College--Judy Klein-Pells, Lea
Yager; Anwatin Middle School--Ed Barlow, Lou Byers, Dennis
Debe, Tom Muehlbauer, Steven Polen, Libby Schubert, Tanna
Swanson, Chris Wernimont, Jackie Williams; Apollo High
School--Sue Peterka; Apple Valley High School--Cathy
Campbell, Mike Egstad, Barry Gimpel, Robert Helgeson, Thomas
O'Neill, Frank Pasquerella, Ron Ronning, Wenzel Ruhmann;
Arden Hills--Mr. Price; Argosy University--Susan Hines;
Arlington High School--Allan Grady, Tami Molkenbur, Michelle
Monogue, Diana Morton, Ms. Page, Mark Rawlings, Claudia
Reeve, Sue Tuggle; Armatage Elementary--Sue Allen, Jane
Campbell, Hern Livermore, Mary Shaffer, Les Beudoin;
Armstrong High School--Mary Davis, Jill Wolpert; ARTech
Charter School (Northfield)--Anne Klawiter; Ashland Middle
School--Ms. Heino; Assumption School--Ms. Kolidji; Augsburg
College--Dal Liddle, John Shockley; Augustan College--Janina
Ehrlich; Austin High School--Maurine Carver, Peter Schmidt;
Avalon Charter School--Nora Whalen; Aveda Institute--Lyndon
Barsten, Joe Lopez; Avon Elementary--Ridell Mathwison; Bailey
Elementary--Renee Birkholtz; Baker Elementary--Florence
Allen, Sue Powell; Baldwin-Woodville High School--Marti
Koller; Bamber Valley Elementary--Janet Carlson; Bancroft
Elementary--Mrs. Johnson, Jill Loesch, Danton Tyree; Barton
Open Elementary--Mary Austin, Mark Downing, Laura Ellison,
Karin Emerson, Lee Fabel, Maryann Fabel, Allison Forester, M.
Gauthier, Kate Glasenapp, Robin Jacobs, Chris Jaglo, John
[[Page S10360]]
Kline, Julie Martin, Patrice Pavek, Helena Perry, Amber
Place, Scott Slocum, Jane Spicer, Jackie Sullivan; Basswood
Elementary--Wendy Forsyth, Ms. Lalin, Reene Williams; Battle
Creek Magnet Elementary--Jennifer Carwright, Joan Hunkeke;
Bay View Elementary (Duluth)--Sue Hieb; Bayview Elementary
(Waconia)--Stacy Gustafson; Becker High School--Sue Meyer,
Dan Olson, Lisa Sackett, Joini Svaren; Becker Intermediate
Elementary--Joan O'Brian; Becker Middle School--Wayne
Johnson, Jennifer Mahowald, Sandy Hayes; Bel Air Elementary--
Debbie Raymond; Belle Plain Elementary--Diane Hanson; Belle
Plaine Junior High--Steven Schroeder; Bemidji--Orin
Ecternach, Mrs. Sanford; Bemidji High School--Dan Bryant,
James Saari, Diane Sharpe;
Bemloji Middle School--Kent Nichols, Moe Webb; Bemidji
State University--Mark Christensen; Ben Franklin Junior
High--Dy Fladland; Bendix Elementary--Brian Atkinson, Ms.
Fee; Benilde-Saint Margaret's School--Michael Jeremiah,
Sylvian Sundrom, Mrs. Zahedi; Benjamin Banneker Middle
School--Scott Grabowski, Delores Lemp; Bethune Elementary--
Elizabeth Bergu, Sandi Sween; Birch Grove Elementary--Mrs.
Johnson, Tanya Stember; Birchview Elementary--Marianne
Brinda, Kathy Henkel, Douglas Johnson, Shannon Peterson;
Birchwood Elementary (Duluth)--Milton Hill; Birchwood
Elementary (Plymouth)--Jill Freshwaters; Bird Island
Elementary--Betsy Hennen; Bishop Elementary--Mrs. Barnes;
Black Hawk Middle School--Alan Glass, Mrs. Windgate; Blaine
High School--Frank Shelton, Robert Strand, Joyce Banghart,
Robert Godding, Alan Krantz, Mr. Mesick, Bradley Miller,
Bruce Olson, Larry Osnek, Walt Pimlott, Kathleen Pimlott, Ed
Schaefle, Ms. Sundberg, Jean Wontor; Blessed Sacrament School
(St. Paul)--Angie Kelcher; Blessed Sacrament School (Toledo,
OH)--Mrs. Tansey, Mrs. Wyrick; Bloomington--Mike Becker,
Carol Berg, Debbie Rohde, Mrs. Russell, Jan Tweet, All
Bloomington School District Teachers; Blue Heron Elementary--
Ms. Kegley, Kathy Perreault, Mandy Hidabrands; Bluff Creek
Elementary--Sharla Ekegren, Lisa Gilbert, Susan Gulstrand;
Braham Area Secondary School--Herman Aune; Brainard High
School--Sue Headlee, Alan Hewitt, Keith Peterson; Breck
School--Mrs. Barton, Jane Bartow, Peter Clark, Penny
Donelson, Dan Dotteny, Mr. Thomas, Sara Thorne, Bonnie Zeff;
Bridgewater Elementary--Lee Murray; Brimhall Elementary--
Lonnie Doberstein, Shirley Heiligman, Ann Hobbie, Margaret
Kuhfield, Marina Liadova, Rich Olson, Ms. Tyler; Brooklyn
Center High School--Robert Jacobson, Roger Dick, Ben Vennes;
Brookland Park--Mrs. Lafrenz, Judith Nelson, Tracey Williams;
Brooklyn Park Junior High--Al Daas, Cindy Knight, Mr.
Johnson; Brookside Education Center--Mary Hinnekamp; Brown
College--Lyn Bell, Rick Murray; Bruce F. Vento Elementary--
Laura Vargo, Marjorie Smith; Bryn Mawr Elementary--Annette
Gagliardi, Suzanne Greenberg, Joann Parker, Jeanie Revor;
Buchtel Senior High School (Akron, OH)--James Wortham; Budd
Elementary--Michelle Rosen; Buffalo Community Middle School--
Mrs. Baunschmidt, Greg Blacik, Suzette Habisch, Barry
Johnson, Joan Olson; Buffalo High School--Gerry Bakke, Mrs.
Cary, Tracy Hagstrom, David Robinson, Joel Squadroni, Mrs.
Soderman; Burnsville--Mrs. Ubbelohde, Ms. Conrad, Shannon
Westerbuck, Dan Wolf, Mrs. Wolter, Matt Deutsch, Mrs. Drugge,
Kevin Floyd, Linda Goude, Jenny Hugstad-Vaa, Andy
Karageorgiu, Jeff Marshall, Cheryl Thorson, Harlan Ernisee,
David Griffith;
Burroughs Elementary--Tim Cadotte, Mrs. Curtis, Ms. Davies,
Theresa Fee, Norman Hauer, Joe Janssen, Mr. Kilabarda, Samuel
Larsen, Greg Moen; Byron Elementary--Rebecca Demmer,
C.H.I.L.D. Preschool, Fairview University Medical Center--
Rose Beauchamp; Cambridge--Isanti School District--Chris
Miller; Calvin Christian School--Amanda Kubacki; Cambridge
Middle School--Mark Rothbauer; Cambridge-Isanti High School--
Bruce Anderson, Kathy Dolezal, Bob Dolezal, Rebecca Lieser,
John Porisch, Shane Weibel; Cannon Falls Elementary--Nancy
Berhow, Staff of Cannon Falls Elementary; Cannon Falls High
School--John Fogarty, Pat Senjum; Cannon Falls Middle
School--Carol McNeary; Capitol Hill Elementary--Robert Burns,
Barbara Ford, Mrs. Gulner; Capitol Hill Magnet--Renne
Antonow, John Benda, Robert Burns, Mr. Lewter, Annette Lopez,
John Maycock, Jane McKim, Mrs. Ochi-Watson, John Porter,
Nancy Randall, Mr. Scott, Tom DeGree, Lucy Kanson, Niemiec
Marian, Marti Starr, Mary Steffy, Carlton Elementary--Kathryn
Vigliaturo; Carlton High School--Mr. Gardner; Carondelet
Catholic School--Kevin Bagley, Anna Hoffman, Jeff Ruhnke, Mr.
Wright; Carver Elementary--Kathryn Gantriis, Patti Life,
Sandy Winegarden; Carver-Scott Education Cooperative--Cindy
Walters; Castle Elementary--Barb Ives, Joyce Tonn, Micah
Friese; Cedar Creek Community School--Mrs. Mozetti, Pete
Rose; Cedar Island Elementary--Norma Hughes, Ms. Tobler,
Chuck Waltz, Jennifer Leslie, All Cedar Island Elementary
Teachers; Cedar Manor Elementary--Marriah Davis; Cedar Park
Elementary--Mrs. Kouba, Mrs. Rustad, Sandy Spitzner; Cedar
Rapids Community Schools--Dora McNulty, Mr. Moran, Jan
Schrader; Cedar Ridge Elementary (Eden Prairie)--Beth Kohls,
Barry Zeeb; Cedar Riverside Community School (Minneapolis)--
Stephanie Byrdziak; Cedar School--Joan Ward; Cedarburg High
School--Robert Merklein; Centennial Elementary (Circle
Pines)--Mrs. Doble, Ms. Fritz, Mr. Gutbrod, Amy Halbur, Emily
Hjelle, Rhonda Stone, Mr. Wirkkunen; Centennial Elementary
(Richfield)--Erica Busta-Loken, Jake Jauert, Becky Rysted;
Centennial High School (Circle Pines)--Duane, John Eret,
Nicole Larson, Greg Schmidt, Nicole Sherry, Jeff Welciek,
David Wolff; Centennial Junior High (Lino Lakes)--Mrs. Allen;
Centennial Middle School (Lino Lakes)--Jill Ehlen Christian
Gould, Suzanne Horne, Erica Joy Johnson, Karen Ross-Brown,
Greg Schnagl, Laurie Tangren, Ann Thomsen;
Centerville Elementary School--Ann Batholomew; Central
Community Center (Minneapolis)--Kris Fingerson; Central
Community Center Child Care (St. Louis Park)--Beth Shannon;
Central Elementary (Norwood)--Dave Rauch; Central Elementary
(Winona)--Carol Harbinson; Central High School (Duluth)--Cal
Benson; Central High School (Omaha, NE)--Dan Daly; Central
High School (St. Paul)--R.C. Demers, John Elwell, Orville
Everson, Patrty Heim, Mrs. Jithendranathan, Mary Mackbee,
Donald Murray, Cathy Nachbar, Tom Niland, Matthew Oyen,
Lorraine Potuzak, Meredith Rainbow, John Rousseau, Mrs.
Schlukebier, Ms. Speltz, Amy Stelle, Ed Roth; Central Lakes
College--Mary Barthel; Central Middle School (Eden Prairie)--
Patrick Gallagher, Scott Hackett, Karen Nelson; Central
Middle School (Plymouth)--Dan Nielsen; Central Middle School
(Wihte Bear Lake)--Kari Jansen; Central Park Elementary
(Roseville)--Lisa Bell, Liz Dayton, Gail Hoveland-Wires,
Andrew Nielsen, Mrs. Snyder, Ms. Wheton; Central Services
Building (Stillwater)--Jo Tate; Century College--Brian Downs,
Wayne Haag, Mark Hophmeister, Kim Loomis; Centruy High School
(Rochester)--Shane Baker, Sonia Ellsworth, Lanny Kolpek, Jean
Marvin, Phillip Olson, Kari Stellpflug; Century Junior High
(Forest Lake)--Patricia Cheynne, Ricahrd Hofstede, Glen King,
Carol Rupar, Ms. Trampe; Champlin Elementary--Deborah Dille,
Geoff Olinyk, Dave Walters, Carol Allen, Mr. Baufield, Kerry
Bogenreif, Mrs. Burtness, Karen Gallagher, Ms. Hable, Ryan
Holmgren, Bradley Johnson, Vicki Johnson, Amy Kennedy, Steve
Lyons, Geoff Olinyk, Mr. Rosenkranz, Clark Sanders, Chris
Woodward, Kathy Suski; Chanhassen Elementary--Robin Coleman,
Jane Johnson, Jen Ptacek, Janet Snyder, Karen Timmers, Sharon
Tupper; Chapel Hill Academy--Mary Stude; Chaska Elementary--
Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Kingdig, Gregory Lange, Mr. Shernock,
Darla Work; Chaska High School--Fred Berg, Cheryl Boe, Sharah
Boehlke, Chris Cormmers, Jason Pelowski, Christopher
Schriever; Chaska Middle School East--Chris Behrens, Mrs.
Melius, Jill Wimberger; Chaska Middle School West--Ron
Cramer, Nate Delowski, Cullen Nelson; Chelsea Heights
Elementary--Mr. Barnes, Ms. Barry, Lynn Bartol, Lynn
Blumthal, Ron Johnson, Jodie Krogseng, Ann Linz, Micky
Palewicz, Christine Stolz, Diana Swanson, Ms. Young; Cherokee
Heights Magnet Elementary--Ms. Otto; Cherry View Elementary--
Lynn Dolan, Mrs. Grant, Claudia Nelson, Tina Pearson, Deane
Barta, Pat Isbel; Child Garden Montessori--Kathy Sefelt;
Children's Center Montessori--Jean, Lori; Children's
Country Day School--Sheila; Chippewa Middle School--Christine
Alexander, Keith Anderson, Ms. Carley, Karen Forest, Mrs.
Ifkavitch, Judy Klohs, Ms. Nickila, Mrs. Plocher, Ric
Seiderkranz, Joseph Thell; Chisago--Katie Hawkins Ahearn;
Chisago Lakes Elementary--Jamie Thaler; Chisago Lakes High
School--Pat Collins, Jason Mahlen, Peg McCubbin, Diane
Spychalla; Chisago Lakes Middle School--Jim Gillach, Linda
Guanzini, Lynnett Kutzke, Sally Lundholm, Gloria Peterson,
Jim Sauerbry, Paul Swanson; Chosen Valley Elementary--Mary
Jasmin; Chosen Valley Elementary--Ms. Mathison; Chosen Valley
Elementary--Barb Schroeder; Christ Community Lutheran
School--Jeff Boehlke, Barb Laabs, Julie Steinborn, Madeline
Strei; Christ Lutheran School--Mark Dobberstein; Christa
McAulilffe Elementary--Cindy Belongia; Christ's Household of
Fiath--Karin Alsbury, Adella Alsbury, David Behum; Churchill
Elementary (Rochester)--Mrs. Stekel; Churchill High School
(Winnipeg, Canada)--Neil Dempsey; City of Lakes Waldorf
School--Emily McLoury, Ms. Ouellette; Cityview Community
School--Melissa Kaiser-Crist, Michael Stokes; Clarkfield
Junior High School--Tom Diekman; Clear Springs Elementary--
Kaari Cox, Ms. Moret; Clearbrook-Gonvick High School--Jacob
Boomgaarden; Clearwater Middle School (Waconia)--Jeff Radel;
Cleveland Middle School (St. Paul)--Mary Cathryn Ricker;
Cleveland Public School (Cleveland)--Greg Davis; Clinton-
Graceville-Beardsley High School--Randy Giles; Cloquet High
School--Dan Naslund; Clover Ridge Elementary--Heather Miller,
Jeffifer Shinn; Coleraine--Tom Patnaude; College of Saint
Benedict--Mara Faulkner, Dale White; College of Saint
Catherine--Patricia Eldred, Dale McGowan, Julie Ashland,
Aruni Fernando; Colorado Spring--Ann Elrod; Columbia Heights
High School--Jim Jungers, Dan Shuck, Kris Svedberg; Columbus
Elementary School--Sharon DeRaad; Community of Peace
Academy--Tim Danz, Susan Gottlieb, Carrie Eicher; Community/
Family Education Center (St. Paul)--Sue Betten; Como Park
Elementary--Susan Munion; Como Park High School--Jeff Gosse,
Mr. Grebner, Mike Lewis, Roy Magnuson, Sharon Mason; Concord
Elementary--Deborah Carroll, Colin Friden, Kari Ingemann, Ms.
Koster, Kimberly Moore, Pam Olson, Leslie Stacey, Mrs.
[[Page S10361]]
Swanson, Holly Thiede, Rosemary Thiel; Concordia Academy
(Roseville)--Dean Dunnavan, Micah Treichel; Concordia College
of Bronxville--Mandara Nakhai.
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