[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 52 (Thursday, May 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E730-E731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING MRS. BONNIE SCOTT GENDASZEK AND MS. LOIS ELIZABETH LYONS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2006

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Mrs. Bonnie Scott 
Gendaszek, an eighth grade mathematics teacher at John Witherspoon 
Middle School in Princeton, New Jersey and Ms. Lois Elizabeth Lyons, a 
high school science teacher at High Technology High School in Lincroft, 
New Jersey. Mrs. Gendaszek and Ms. Lyons are the two New Jersey 
recipients of the 2005 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science 
and Mathematics Teaching.
  The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science and Mathematics 
Teaching program is administered by the National Science Foundation to 
recognize and reward outstanding mathematics and science teachers who 
serve as role models for their colleagues, and to encourage these 
talented individuals to remain in the teaching field. We must, as 
Members of Congress, celebrate these fine individuals.
  Each of us is in Congress today because we had along the journey of 
our education, teachers who inspired us to achieve, to inquire, to 
excel, and to dream.
  Teaching today is different than when we were in eighth grade or high 
school. It is not just the content of mathematics and science courses 
that is different. Additionally, there is more valid scientific 
research in the area of how students learn and how to integrate 
mathematics and science knowledge into their intellect, and into their 
lives. We know that students must be engaged in the learning process, 
actively involved in the lesson, not just listening to the teacher.
  Mrs. Gendaszek's classroom is one of questioning for deeper 
understanding. She has created a learning community of inquisitive 
middle-schoolers who seek to understand mathematics in their everyday 
lives. This is no small accomplishment, Mr. Speaker. To create such an 
environment requires daily dedication to her students.
  Ms. Lyons' classroom is also one of questions and exploration. She 
has learned how to make chemistry less intimidating to her student by 
connecting the concepts to her students' lives first, thus engaging 
their curiosity. Research into student motivation tells us that 
relevance is key to facilitating intrinsic motivation in students and 
creating life-long learners.
  Teachers in our Nation do not receive enough respect or recognition 
for the work that they do each day of the school year for

[[Page E731]]

our youth and for our Nation. As I work to pass the Congressional 
Teacher Award Act, I am happy to celebrate these mathematics and 
science teachers through the Presidential awards. As the United States 
seeks to find its place in the emerging global knowledge economy, our 
attention has turned to those who educate our youth, for teachers truly 
can change the future. I look forward to the leadership in the 
classroom, in New Jersey, and in the United States of Mrs. Gendaszek 
and Ms. Lyons to help maintain the leadership of the United States in 
the global economy.

                          ____________________