[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 52 (Monday, March 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E640-E641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO JOANN STRAND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2007

  Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate 
Mrs. Joann Strand for being awarded National Board Certification in 
Adolescence and Young Adulthood Secondary Language Arts by the National 
Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
  Joann is 1 of 2 educators at Foothill High School in Henderson, 
Nevada to become nationally certified. National Board Certification is 
a process that requires 1 to 3 years of preparation and testing. Mrs. 
Strand completed an extensive portfolio of assignments, essays, and 
videotapes as well as tests which assessed her knowledge of the 
individual subjects she teaches. Once obtaining National Board 
Certification, a teacher is given the

[[Page E641]]

highest honor of professional teaching excellence. Only 116 of more 
than 20,000 teachers in the Clark County School District, less than 1 
percent, have earned this distinction.
  Mrs. Strand has a long and distinguished career as an educator 
beginning with a Bachelor's Degree from Bemidji State University and a 
Master's Degree in Secondary Language Arts from the University of 
Nevada, Las Vegas. She has been an employee of the Clark County School 
District for 19 years and has spent the past 8 years at Foothill High 
School as a member of the English Department. Mrs. Strand is also a co-
creator with a fellow teacher of Young Entrepreneur Services, Inc., 
YES, Inc., is a unique company classroom which has been recognized 
throughout the district for its unique approach to instructing 
students. This class applies real world business work situations with 
the necessities of an English class. Mrs. Strand is known by her 
colleagues as a tireless worker who is both inspiring and relentless in 
her pursuit of excellence. Joann has made a profound difference in our 
community and we are most fortunate to have this leadership which 
positively impacts student achievement.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Joann Strand. Her efforts to 
improve the educational experiences of the student at Foothill High 
School are commendable. I congratulate her on her much deserved 
recognition and I wish her continued success.

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