[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 95 (Thursday, June 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF RAPHAEL KAUFFMANN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2012

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Raphael Kauffmann, an 
outstanding teacher who serves as a role model for students and 
teachers alike. It is only fitting that he has been named San Mateo 
County Teacher of the Year.
  Mr. Kauffmann graduated Cum Laude from San Francisco State University 
where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast and Electronic 
Communications in 1995. Since 2005, Mr. Kauffmann has taught at 
Carlmont High School in Belmont. He was promoted to Chair of the 
English Department in 2009. He is a member of the National Education 
Association, the National Council of Teachers of English and he won a 
PTSA Award of Excellence in 2010.
  Under Mr. Kauffman's leadership Carlmont High School adopted the 
Expository Reading and Writing Course, a school-wide reading and 
writing program. The program sparked a fruitful collaboration among the 
teachers within his department. The program helps prepare students for 
college and advances students' writing skills.
  Mr. Kauffmann did not always know he wanted to teach. Starting at age 
12 or 13, he was most passionate about music. He played bass in his 
high school band and also started a band with friends. In college he 
learned audio production, which helped him apply his passion for music 
to his professional life. His dynamic career has spanned the music, 
recording and software industries.
  These experiences taught him the skills and qualities necessary for 
survival in the professional world. They also taught him that he could 
meld together academic, professional and creative interests while 
navigating a career path. He brings these lessons into the classroom 
and offers his students a broad perspective.
  Instead of creating an authoritarian atmosphere, he makes students 
his partners in the process of learning. He promotes an environment of 
mutual respect and uses his musical background to connect with at-risk 
youths. He uses music as a tool to communicate with young people who 
the educational system has left behind. For example, when Mr. Kauffmann 
met one student who was nearly ready to drop out of high school, Mr. 
Kauffmann connected with this young man about music, took him under his 
wing and helped him graduate on time.
  Mr. Kauffmann is a devoted husband and father; he is married to 
Chandra Kauffmann and they have a son, Rami.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask this body to rise with me to honor the outstanding 
service of Raphael Kauffmann to the residents of San Mateo County. For 
many more years to come he will serve as an inspiration for other 
teachers, and a beacon for his students.

                          ____________________