[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE POLK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2008 TEACHER OF THE YEAR

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                          HON. ADAM H. PUTNAM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2008

  Mr. PUTNAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Danny 
Whittenton, a history teacher at Lakeland's Kathleen High School in 
Florida's 12th Congressional District, for being recognized as the Polk 
County Public Schools 2008 ``Teacher of the Year''.
  Danny Whittenton has devoted his career to teaching American history 
to three generations of Kathleen High School students. Ensuring that 
students have the opportunity to learn and experience the importance of 
history and civic responsibility, he continues to develop innovative 
teaching methods and is committed to making knowledge accessible to all 
students.
  Polk County Public Schools employ over 12,300 employees, making them 
the largest employer in Polk County. Over 6,770 are fellow teachers. 
From those teachers, more than 300 applications were submitted for 
consideration. Danny was one of eight finalists whose nominee 
application was reviewed. His leadership, community and school 
involvement and teaching style earned him the honor of ``Teacher of the 
Year'' by a committee of community members, former teachers of the year 
and school-related employees of the year.
  In 2006, Danny retired but it was short-lived as his will to teach 
was too strong and he returned to the classroom after only 1 month of 
retirement. Clearly his dedication is unwavering.
  Thirty-eight years as an educator taught Danny Whittenton how to 
truly engage students. Dressing up as historical figures including Davy 
Crockett and George Washington helps spark his students' interest, and 
he utilizes game show concepts like History Jeopardy and History 
Trivial Pursuit as a contemporary way to teach history. His students 
also take part in the political process; organizing a Get-Out-The-Vote 
project, corresponding with candidates and even providing 
transportation to the polls for elderly citizens.
  Danny is a leading example of how teachers raise student achievement 
through an exceptional approach. Principal Cecil McClellan of Kathleen 
High School shared that, ``Danny is an excellent communicator with 
peers, parents and students. He possesses the ability to have students 
on the edge of their seats while engaging them in the learning 
process.''
  I would like to extend my congratulations to Danny Whittenton for 
exemplifying the core qualities of a teacher. His hard work and 
dedication have persevered through many years of teaching, decades of 
change, and thousands of students. I commend Danny for his service to 
three generations of Polk County students and wish him the very best in 
all of his future endeavors.

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