[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 54 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MELANIE TAYLOR, DEDICATED SPANISH TEACHER 
                              OF COMAL ISD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2005

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Melanie Taylor 
for her outstanding contributions to education in the Comal Independent 
School District of Texas.
  Ms. Taylor earned her Bachelor's degree in music from Texas State 
University in San Marcos. But having fallen in love with the Spanish 
language and culture at an early age, Melanie Taylor began teaching 
elementary Spanish in Mexico. Ever since then, Melanie has passed on 
her passion for Spanish and her appreciation of the Hispanic culture to 
every student she teaches.
  Melanie Taylor has been teaching for 18 years and is now a Spanish 
teacher for seventh and eighth-graders at the Spring Branch Middle 
School in Comal ISD. She loves the ``middle school attitude,'' and 
understands how to connect with her students during their crucial 
preteen years.
  Melanie Taylor summarizes her teaching philosophy this way: ``I work 
hard to teach them [students] not to settle for mediocrity and I try to 
lead them to become caring and kind individuals who will treat each 
other with respect and dignity. I try to be a good listener and to help 
them look for the best solutions to their problems using strong moral 
values.'' She has also been dedicated to helping Hispanic students gain 
a greater sense of pride in their heritage, and their roots. In her 
efforts, she has helped students understand the advantage and necessity 
of being multilingual in an increasingly competitive world.
  Besides teaching Spanish, Taylor also is the sponsor of Spring Branch 
Middle School's Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Through FCA, 
she and more than 100 student leaders plan socials and conduct 
community service projects. For her many achievements as an educator, 
Taylor received the Comal lSD's 2004 KENS5 TV Station ExCEL Teacher of 
the Year Award.
  I am honored to have had the opportunity to recognize such a 
dedicated teacher and community leader in Comal ISD.

                          ____________________