[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E758-E759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TEXAS TEACHER OF THE YEAR FOR 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 24, 2009

  Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, El Paso, Texas has a history of producing 
strong, passionate, and caring educators who motivate

[[Page E759]]

and engage our children to become lifelong learners. As a parent and 
grandparent, I am grateful for the contributions of our teachers in the 
El Paso area, and today I want to take this opportunity to congratulate 
Mrs. Christine Gleason, a teacher at Fabens High School in the Fabens 
Independent School District, for being selected as the 2009 Texas 
Secondary Teacher of the Year. The Texas Teacher of the Year is the 
highest honor that the State of Texas can award to a teacher and Mrs. 
Gleason will be representing the State of Texas in the National Teacher 
of the Year program in Washington, D.C. Facilitated by the Texas 
Education Agency, the Texas Teacher of the Year Program annually 
recognizes and rewards teachers who have demonstrated outstanding 
leadership and excellence in teaching. Mrs. Gleason represents the best 
of the best in the teaching profession, and we salute her energy, 
efforts, and dedication.
  Mrs. Gleason earned a Bachelor's degree in English and creative 
writing as well as a Master's degree in English and American literature 
from the University of Texas at El Paso. At Fabens High School, she 
teaches English IV, AP English IV, and Dual Credit English. She 
currently serves the school district as Chair of the English 
Department, National Honor Society Sponsor, Dual Credit Facilitator, 
UIL Coordinator, and is a literary criticism coach. Mrs. Gleason 
originally intended to be a novelist, but found teaching to be ``life-
changing'' and ``unreservedly rewarding.'' Mrs. Gleason said that her 
goal is to be a ``vibrant, tenacious, creative and absolutely 
unforgettable teacher because that is what [she] never had and that is 
what every kid in this country deserves in every classroom they 
attend.'' The El Paso community is very fortunate to have Mrs. 
Christine Gleason in the classroom and we are appreciative of her 
commitment to our children.
  Mrs. Gleason is part of a larger history of educational excellence in 
El Paso. I am also proud to note that for the past three years, El Paso 
area educators have been chosen as Texas Teachers of the Year. In 
total, El Paso has had nine Texas Teachers of the Year. The National 
Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, 
most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention 
on excellence in teaching.
  In recognition of these distinguished educators, I am submitting the 
names of all former Texas Teachers of the Year from the El Paso area.
  I am proud of the work of our teachers, and I am committed to 
ensuring that education remains a top priority in this Congress.

        Texas Teachers of the Year From the El Paso, Texas Area

       1970--Clarence K. Stark; Irvin High School, El Paso, TX--
     Government.
       1982--Rita Harlien; Eastwood High School, El Paso, TX--
     Speech.
       1992--Rosa E. Lujan; Ysleta Elementary School, El Paso, 
     TX--Bi-lingual Education.
       1995--Miguel Ignacio Tinajero; Ramona Elementary School, El 
     Paso, TX--Self-Contained 5th-6th Grade.
       1997--Antonio A. Fierro; Sierra Vista Elementary, El Paso, 
     TX--Bilingual Education K-1st Grade.
       2004--Kyann McMillie; Canutillo Elementary, Canutillo, TX--
     Bilingual Education 1st-2nd Grade.
       2007--Dana K. Boyd; Dolphin Terrace Elementary, El Paso, 
     TX--2nd Grade.
       2008--Paul F. Cain; Ysleta High School, El Paso, TX--
     Mathematics/Physics 9th-12th Grade.
       2009--Christine Gleason; Fabens High School, Fabens, TX--
     English 12th Grade.

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