[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 79 (Friday, June 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING LINDA JACKSON-WHITMORE ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 3, 2011

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Ms. Linda Jackson-
Whitmore, an extraordinary teacher who will soon retire. Her students 
refer to her affectionately as Ms. J. Ms. J started teaching at 
Washington High School in Fremont, California in 1975 as a drama 
instructor, director, choreographer and Performing Arts Club advisor. 
She transferred to Irvington High School in Fremont, California in 
1978, performing the same duties.
  Ms. J has been on the staff of Irvington High School as the Artistic 
Director for 31 years and Artistic Director of the Irvington 
Conservatory Theatre since 1990 where she has directed two major 
productions each year and over 70 shows during her professional career.
  Adding to her extra-curricular duties, she volunteers as Advisor for 
the Black Student Union Club, Advanced Dance Club, Hip Hop Dance Club 
and the Step Club.
  In 1986 she was accepted as a Fulbright Exchange Teacher and taught 
in London for a year. Another acknowledgement of her teaching 
excellence was her selection as Mentor Teacher in Theatre Arts for the 
Fremont Unified School District in 1984-1986 and 1997-98.
  Ms. J has also served as a part-time instructor in the Theatre Arts 
Department at San Francisco State University, San Francisco Community 
College and serves as a high school outreach instructor for Ohlone 
Community College, a position she has held since 1999.
  She received her Bachelor of Arts and Secondary Teaching Credential 
in 1973 from San Francisco State University. In 1980 she received her 
Masters of Arts and Community College Credential from the University of 
San Francisco. She is a member of the California Teachers Association, 
Educational Theatre Association, International Thespian Society, 
National Education Association, Fremont Unified School District 
Teachers Association, National Forum of Black Administrators, Black 
Women Organized for Political Action and a Life Member of the NAACP.
  Ms. J is the recipient of many honors and awards that include the 
International Thespian Society Most Inspirational Theatre Educator 
Award and the California Congress of Parent/Student/Teacher Association 
of Outstanding Service Award, in addition to recognition of her 
community service.
  Ms. Linda Jackson-Whitmore has given many students, through the 
years, guidance in the theatre arts and will leave a lasting legacy as 
the instructor who gave a thespian voice to our youth. I join her 
colleagues in wishing her well in her well-deserved retirement.

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