[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 168 (Friday, November 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRATULATIONS TO THE COLORADO TEACHER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JARED POLIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 4, 2011

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Kristin 
Donley, an outstanding educator at Monarch High School. She has 
pioneered innovative learning for the past 10 years teaching physical 
science, chemistry and biology. Ms. Donley is an inspiration and an 
exemplary educator, and I am honored to commend her for being named the 
2012 Colorado Teacher of the Year.
  Her multifaceted approach to teaching goes beyond the textbooks and 
the standardized tests to instill curiosity and inspiration in her 
students; it provides the building blocks for a well-rounded 
understanding of the sciences. She has provided many opportunities for 
her students outside the classroom that truly prepare them with the 
skills and knowledge necessary to compete and succeed. Her partnership 
with the University of Colorado Boulder allowed her students to spend a 
week at the CU Mountain Research Station in Nederland, Colorado, where 
they had the opportunity to do hands-on learning of cutting-edge 
research that directly led to their own research and the chance to 
compete competitively in the regional science fair.
  She has expanded the number of opportunities for her students to 
become passionate learners by establishing and coordinating a district 
science research seminar to have a peer science mentorship program for 
elementary and middle school students. She works with her students to 
create interest in learning science and to provide them with the tools 
for success. Her faith in the public school system and her advocacy for 
innovative, cutting-edge learning is especially important now, at a 
time when improving our schools and expanding access to innovative 
science, technology, engineering and mathematics instruction is 
critical.
  Ms. Donley was born in Boulder and received both her undergraduate 
and graduate degrees in molecular, cellular and developmental biology 
at the University of Colorado. She is truly a dedicated community 
member and educator, and I am honored to recognize her as the 2012 
Colorado Teacher of the Year.

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