[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATING SARAH BAIRD--2009 ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR

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                         HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 2009

  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sarah Baird 
on being honored as the 2009 Arizona Teacher of the Year. Sarah is a 
math teacher at Kyrene de las Lomas and Kyrene del Milenio elementary 
schools in Phoenix, Arizona where she teaches in nearly 60 classrooms 
at the two schools, with kids ranging from kindergarten through fifth 
grade.
  Sarah started down her chosen path when she drove to Northern Arizona 
University and became the first person in her family to attend college. 
She graduated in 2\1/2\ years with a bachelor's degree in elementary 
education and later went on to receive a master's degree in early child 
education, also from NAU.
  For Sarah, teaching is all about helping students find the same 
potential that a teacher once helped her find in herself, and she works 
tirelessly to ensure that her students have the opportunity to fulfill 
their full potential. Besides instructing math, Sarah also educates her 
fellow teachers in ways to make their lessons more easily understood by 
students.
  The Arizona Teacher of the Year program is a statewide program that 
spotlights the many contributions of Arizona's teachers. The program 
annually recognizes exceptionally skilled and dedicated teachers in 
pre-kindergarten through 12th grade public schools. Those who are 
honored, like Sarah, play an active and useful role in their 
communities as well as their schools. They also show an exceptional 
ability to help their students achieve. I know she will represent our 
state well in the National Teacher of the Year Program.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Sarah Baird on being 
honored as the 2009 Arizona Teacher of the Year. Her incredible 
dedication to her students and her community should be an inspiration 
to us all.

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