[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 165 (Friday, November 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           SALUTING JANA FRY OF WILLIAMS HIGH SCHOOL OF PLANO

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                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 6, 2009

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I'd like to recognize Jana 
Fry for winning the Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award 2008-
2009. She teaches at Williams High School in Plano, where she lives. 
Jana stands head and shoulders above her peers for her role as an 
outstanding humanities teacher making a difference in the lives of 
young Texans.
  The Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Awards recognize 11 
exemplary K-12 humanities teachers. Humanities Texas, formerly the 
Texas Council for the Humanities, is the state affiliate of the 
National Endowment for the Humanities. Humanities Texas conducts and 
supports public programs in history, literature, philosophy, and other 
humanities disciplines. These programs strengthen Texas communities and 
ultimately help sustain representative democracy by cultivating 
informed, educated citizens.
  During her 20 years of teaching, Jana has won many accolades and 
awards for her service both in and out of the classroom. She has taught 
sixth through tenth grades with classes ranging from sheltered/at-risk 
to gifted and talented and anything in between. She summarizes her 
teaching philosophy as such: Students should always be participants in 
their learning process, engaged in that process, reflecting and 
evaluating of that process and emotionally attached to their learning. 
Teachers are the facilitators of learning who orchestrate varied 
learning experiences that attempt to meet each student where they are 
and then challenge them further.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Jana for her selfless 
contributions to make Texas and America a better place by pouring into 
our young people. Please join me in congratulating Jana on a 
magnificent achievement and wishing her all the best with her future 
endeavors.

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