[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 5, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E753-E754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          CRYSTAL BELL AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2010

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to commend 
seven exceptional teachers from Northwest Indiana who have been 
recognized as outstanding educators by their peers for the 2009-2010 
school year. These individuals are: Jan Lowery, John Gorball, Brenda 
Richardson, Kerry Zajicek, Jeff Graves, Glennda Sanders, Shannon 
Anderson, and Betty O'Neill. For their outstanding efforts, these 
honorees will be presented with the Crystal Bell Award at a reception 
sponsored by the Indiana State Teachers Association. This prestigious 
event will take place at the Andorra Restaurant and Banquets in 
Schererville, Indiana, on Thursday, May 6, 2010.
  Jan Lowery, this year's recipient of the Crystal Bell Award from the 
Crown Point School Corporation, is fondly known as the ``geometry 
queen'' of Crown Point High School. Jan is an outstanding educator and 
has a positive impact on her students and colleagues. Jan understands 
the importance of teaching each student according to their abilities 
and has developed a variety of teaching

[[Page E754]]

methods in order to reach out to each individual student. Because of 
her careful attention to each student's individual needs, she is an 
exceptional educator.
  John Gorball has had an outstanding teaching career spanning forty-
one years and is this year's recipient of the Crystal Bell Award from 
the Hanover Community School Corporation. John has taught at Hanover 
Central for forty years and has served in many capacities during his 
tenure. He is the well-known band director at the school, and his 
passion for music has been a remarkable asset to the music education 
program. For many years, John also served as a basketball coach, which 
was another way for him to relate to his students. John understands 
that leading by example is imperative for a teacher, and he continues 
to be a positive role model for his students.
  This year's recipient of the Crystal Bell Award from the School Town 
of Highland is Brenda Richardson. Brenda has taught family and consumer 
science at Highland High School since 1989. Throughout her tenure, 
Brenda has brought many new and innovative programs to Highland High 
School. Brenda spearheaded the Exploratory Teacher Program, which 
allows high school students to assist elementary teachers in working 
with reading and math groups. She also started the Random Acts of 
Kindness Club, which teaches students the importance and value of 
compassion by surprising others with a kind gesture. Through her 
positive outlook and strong belief in the development of character, 
Brenda is an outstanding role model for the students at Highland High 
School.
  Kerry Zajicek is this year's recipient of the Crystal Bell Award from 
the Lake Central School Corporation. Kerry has been a teacher for 
thirty years and is currently teaching geometry and pre-calculus at 
Lake Central High School. Kerry continues to be a tremendous asset to 
Lake Central High School and is involved in numerous endeavors outside 
the classroom. He has volunteered much of his time to the Lake Central 
Theater Guild, providing support to the students and performing in many 
plays himself. He has also selflessly given much of his time to the 
Lake Central Teachers Association. Kerry is always ready to lend a 
helping hand, and for his constant, selfless, volunteerism within the 
Lake Central School Corporation, he is worthy of the highest praise.
  Jeff Graves, this year's recipient of the Crystal Bell Award from the 
School Town of Munster, ``lives and breathes chemistry.'' He has taught 
chemistry and AP chemistry at Munster High School for forty years. 
Jeff's success in teaching chemistry stems from his brilliant effort to 
develop methods that help students comprehend difficult concepts. His 
ability to maintain the interest of the students is to be commended. 
Additionally, Jeff put much time and effort into the initiation of the 
Chess Club and Bowling Club. Throughout his tenure, Jeff has been able 
to positively influence many students at Munster High School.
  This year's recipient of the Crystal Bell Award from the North Newton 
School Corporation is Glennda Sanders, who has been a teacher with the 
corporation for fourteen years. Glennda is widely known for her 
energetic nature and her ability to create activities that fit the 
specific needs of each individual student in her classroom. In 
addition, she has played an instrumental role in the planning and 
presenting of the Morocco Elementary School talent show and science 
fair. Glennda's positive outlook and enthusiasm allows her to continue 
to touch the lives of countless students within the North Newton School 
Corporation.
  Shannon Anderson, a second grade teacher at Monnett Elementary 
School, is this year's recipient of the Crystal Bell Award from the 
Rensselear School Corporation. Shannon has been an extraordinary 
educator for the past fifteen years. She continues to go above and 
beyond to meet the needs of her students. For example, Shannon learned 
Spanish and Sign Language in order to meet the needs of certain 
students. She has also initiated many innovative programs including: 
Spanish Camp, Club Invention, Read-a-Thon, Math-a-Thon, the Eddie 
Eagle, and the Gun Safety Program, to name a few. For her unwavering 
dedication to her students she is truly an inspiration.
  This year's recipient of the Crystal Bell Award from the Tri-Creek 
School Corporation is Betty O'Neill. Betty has been nurturing young 
minds for twenty years and is currently a fourth grade teacher at Oak 
Hill Elementary School. Betty continues to incorporate and educate her 
students about the community of Lowell. For example, Betty initiated a 
walking tour of the town for the students, and directed the writing and 
performance of a play about the town's history. Additionally, Betty has 
been a leading force behind the Response to Intervention Initiative in 
the Tri-Creek School Corporation and has worked diligently with 
students who are most in need. Because of her innovative teaching 
skills and her willingness to provide support to the Tri-Creek School 
Corporation, she is an extraordinary educator.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me 
in commending these outstanding educators on being named 2010 Crystal 
Bell Award winners. Their years of hard work have played a major role 
in shaping the minds and futures of Northwest Indiana's young people, 
and each recipient is truly an inspiration to us all.

                          ____________________