[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 60 (Monday, April 16, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING SANDRA WALLACE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 16, 2007

  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a woman who has 
enjoyed a remarkable career helping parents and their children begin 
the life-long process of learning. Sandra Wallace, who is retiring 
after 27 years as a teacher and director at the Pacifica Co-op Nursery 
School, has been a pillar in the lives of families at this popular 
parent-participation pre-school.
  Known to multiple generations as ``Teacher Sandy,'' she began her 
career more than 35 years ago as a high school art teacher. When she 
and her husband, Doug, began their own family, she took a leave of 
absence. Taking her own children to a co-op nursery school, she was 
struck with a desire to work in such a program herself. That moment 
began nearly three decades of service to children and parents who 
benefited from her wisdom, compassion, patience, knowledge and 
experience in childhood education.
  Madam Speaker, her career in early childhood education began as an 
enrichment teacher at the Serramonte Nursery School in Daly City. While 
earning a master's degree from San Francisco State University, she 
conducted her graduate field study at the Pacifica Co-op Nursery 
School. Knowing a good thing, the school's board hired her full time as 
an Assistant Director, leading to a tenure that has spanned 
generations.
  Young parents immediately recognized the unique skills Teacher Sandy 
exhibited at the Co-op Nursery School. She created the popular Bug 
School as a summer program, and in 1985 she was appointed Director for 
the growing morning and afternoon sessions.
  In 1995, the Professional Association for Childhood Education (PACE) 
for the State of California named her Teacher of the Year.
  Not only did Sandra Wallace manage the programs at the Co-op Nursery 
School, but she also worked with the Jefferson Union High School 
District Adult Education Division teaching Parent Education classes. 
Many men and women in the area learned valuable skills from Teacher 
Sandy about how to raise their children effectively. The value of 
giving families a strong educational beginning cannot be overstated, 
and I know the families she's touched and the community she's been 
dedicated to owe her a deep debt of gratitude.
  Madam Speaker, I want to share with my colleagues my immense respect 
and appreciation for Sandra Wallace. She has dedicated her professional 
life to making sure children and their parents have a meaningful and 
productive start. She and her husband will be retiring to Michigan this 
year, but Teacher Sandy is leaving a legacy in my Congressional 
district that will live on in the more than 1,000 children she has 
taught while making the Pacifica Co-op Nursery School a treasure of the 
local community.
  I would like to wish her a long, happy and healthy retirement and 
extend the gratitude of all my constituents for her selfless commitment 
to childhood education.

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