[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 30 (Monday, February 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING DUSCHA ROSS AS THE 2012 OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA TEACHER OF 
                                THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 27, 2012

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. 
Duscha Ross as the 2012 Okaloosa County, Florida Teacher of the Year. 
Good teachers educate, but the best teachers make a difference and 
inspire. For eleven years, Ms. Ross has made a significant impact in 
the lives of her students, colleagues, and community. I am proud to 
recognize her achievements.
   Ms. Ross joined the Okaloosa County, Florida School District in 
2002, with a background in Political Science and Military Studies from 
Pennsylvania State University. Her career as a teacher and mentor began 
at the Department of Juvenile Justice in Okaloosa County where she 
taught Language and Reading. Since then she has served the Okaloosa 
County School District in various capacities as a 3rd, 4th, and 5th 
grade teacher and a Remedial and Advanced Reading teacher at Northwood 
Elementary School. Ms. Ross has proudly served as a 5th grade teacher 
at Mary Esther Elementary School for the past two years.
   Ms. Ross makes a difference by never settling for mediocrity. While 
some are afraid of change and are unwilling to take risks, Ms. Ross 
attributes some of her greatest successes in the classroom to the use 
of a novel approach. She incorporates innovative teaching practices, 
such as the use of the Balanced Literacy Model, Discovery Education 
Assessment (DEA) Probes, and technology to supplement daily lessons. 
Using these methods, she is able to better address the needs of her 
students and provide them a pathway to success. She strives to share 
teaching methods with her colleagues to ensure that all can benefit 
from these successful techniques. She also combines education with 
community involvement and often invites various community members, 
including members of the military and local Kiwanis Clubs, to 
participate in her lessons and interact with other members of Mary 
Esther Elementary School.
   Out of her passion for teaching and her love for children, Ms. Ross 
sets high standards for all of her students and works with them to 
achieve their goals and the desired results of the overall academic 
performance of the class. She is the positive force behind each 
student's growth of mind, by giving them the confidence, knowledge, and 
inspiration needed to succeed. Teachers like Ms. Ross leave a perpetual 
impact on their schools and community.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I take great 
pride in recognizing Ms. Duscha Ross as one of Northwest Florida's 
finest educators, and I congratulate her on her recent accolade as 
Okaloosa County, Florida Teacher of the Year. This is an outstanding 
achievement, and her service to the area should stand as an example to 
those who follow in her footsteps. My wife Vicki joins me in wishing 
her all the best for continued success.

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