[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 22 (Monday, February 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING ANN LAM WONG AND SHARON DRAVVORN, RECIPIENTS OF THE MILKEN 
                        NATIONAL EDUCATOR AWARDS

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 22, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Ann Lam 
Wong and Sharon Dravvorn, recipients of 2009 Milken Family Foundation 
National Educator Awards. The Milken Foundation honors teachers, 
principals, and specialists throughout America with $25,000 individual 
awards. Criteria for individual awards include exceptional education 
talent based on student results in the classroom, educational 
accomplishments outside of the classroom, and professional leadership. 
All of the recipients of the awards will attend the Milken Educator 
Forum in Los Angeles, Calif., in May.
  Ann Lam Wong is a biology teacher at West Springfield High School in 
Springfield, Va. She teaches several sections of biology, and 100 
percent of her students passed the Virginia Standards of Learning tests 
in biology with 68 percent passing at an advanced level. Wong also 
teaches AP biology, where 75 percent of her students passed the AP 
examination with a score of 3 or higher.
  In addition to teaching biology, Wong mentors students who are having 
a hard time transitioning to high school. She started an AP summer 
academy, which increased AP enrollment requests at West Springfield 
High School by 27 percent. Wong also is the advisor for her students' 
Asian American Student Association.
  Sharon Dravvorn teaches 9th and 10th grade mathematics at Woodbridge 
High School in Woodbridge, Va. Dravvorn incorporates a broad range of 
tools in her classroom, including the use of classical music, logic 
games, and visual aids. She focuses on teaching students that failed 
their 8th grade Standards of Learning exams. Ninety-five percent of 
those students who have received additional instruction from Dravvorn 
went on to pass their exams.
  Along with teaching mathematics, Dravvorn is a role model for other 
teachers in the area. She mentors fellow teachers, leads a book club 
for teachers, and teaches training courses for her peers.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ann Lam 
Wong and Sharon Dravvorn as examples of outstanding educators through 
their exceptional work in and outside of the classroom. They are role 
models for both their students and other teachers.

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