[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 37 (Friday, March 11, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING ANNETTE SMITH AS THE 2012 SANTA ROSA COUNTY, FLORIDA 
                          TEACHER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 11, 2011

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. 
Annette Smith as the 2012 Santa Rosa County, Florida Teacher of the 
Year. For 25 years, Mrs. Smith has been an inspiration to her students, 
motivating them to achieve academic excellence.
   Mrs. Smith began her teaching career at Baghdad Elementary School, 
before transferring to S.S. Dixon Elementary School. She taught 4th and 
5th grades at S.S. Dixon Elementary school until 1994, when she moved 
to S.S. Dixon Intermediate School.
   Mrs. Smith is highly respected by her colleagues for her work and 
dedication to her students. She is well known for her work with at-risk 
students. From 1992-2005, Mrs. Smith taught in the Drop-Out Prevention/
Alpha Program. In order to succeed as a teacher for these at-risk 
students, Mrs. Smith had to transcend the traditional teaching role. 
She acted as a teacher, mentor, and role model for these students. Her 
assiduous work ethic inspires her students, and creates an atmosphere 
where failure is nearly impossible.
   Mrs. Smith also volunteers her time with myriad educational 
programs. She is a trainer for Building Better Readers, Santa Rosa 
County's Team Teachers, the Diagnostic Assessments of Reading, and a 
master trainer for Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading. She 
is also the school coordinator for Pace High School/S.S. Dixon 
Intermediate's Leadership Program and the Patriot Pals Mentoring 
Program.
   Teachers are amongst our most valuable public servants, and they 
play an integral role in shaping the future of our nation. The Santa 
Rosa County Teacher of the Year award is a reflection of Mrs. Smith's 
tireless work ethic and steadfast dedication to the students of Santa 
Rosa County. She has proven to be among the many exceptional teachers 
in our nation, and I am proud to have her as a constituent in Florida's 
First Congressional District.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am 
privileged to recognize Annette Smith for her accomplishments and her 
continuing commitment to excellence at S.S. Dixon Intermediate School 
and in the Santa Rosa County School District. Her passion for her 
students is laudable, and her dedication to her profession is 
exemplary. My wife Vicki joins me in congratulating Mrs. Smith, and we 
wish her all the best.