[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO YVONNE NIXON-ORR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 10, 2008

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor 
Yvonne Nixon-Orr. In 1970, Yvonne immigrated to the United States and 
has resided in Brooklyn, New York. Soon after her arrival, she began 
teaching at the Haitian American Day Care Center, and later joined the 
New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) where she has been 
teaching for more than 25 years. Middle School 61 in District 17 is 
where her career with the NYCDOE began as a literacy instructor for 6th 
and 7th graders. All along, she maintained her volunteering as a Sunday 
school teacher and an assistant youth coordinator at her local church, 
planning and implementing activities for the youth of the community.
  Yvonne Nixon-Orr is presently the school librarian at P.S. 181, The 
John Steptoe School in Brooklyn, working with students from Grades K 
through 8. In her functions, she helps students to develop a love for 
books and multicultural literature. In her teaching, she imparts skills 
that incorporate literacy, social studies, and the arts. Yvonne is 
passionate about imparting a love for learning and moral responsibility 
to the youngsters she encounters in the Public School system 
classrooms. In her role as a staff developer, she shares instructional 
techniques and skills with colleagues, mentors and assists new teachers 
with methodology, classroom management, and facilitates their 
transition to the New York public school system. Through her dedication 
and hard work as an educator, she has touched many lives and has 
equally had her own life enriched by working with colleagues, students, 
and families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
  Yvonne Nixon-Orr holds an Associate Degree of Science from New York 
City Technical College, a Bachelor of Arts from Brooklyn College of the 
City University of New York (CUNY), and a Master's Degree in Elementary 
Education from Adelphi University. Her post-graduate education focus 
has been in literacy development. She continues to enhance her 
knowledge of education and teaching skills by reading and attending 
professional workshops and seminars that expand on the latest 
development in literacy and the best approaches to teaching and 
learning in the 21st century.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Yvonne Nixon-Orr for her 
extraordinary contributions to education in New York City.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
Yvonne Nixon-Orr.

                          ____________________