[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 9, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S2496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       TRIBUTE TO DARRELL MUELLER

  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Madam President, today I offer 
my heartfelt thanks to an educator who has been committed to the 
wellbeing of the children of my State.
  At the close of this school year, Darrell Mueller will retire as 
superintendent of the Andes Central School District, concluding a 
career in education of over 30 years. After earning his bachelor's 
degree in elementary school education in 1979, Darrell began teaching 
elementary school in Nebraska in 1980. In 1982 he moved to Yankton, SD 
where he served as a teacher and principal at Sacred Heart School. 
While serving as a principal and teacher, he completed a master's 
degree in elementary administration at the University of South Dakota 
in 1984. From 1988 to 2006, Darrell was the principal of Platte 
Elementary School. He was chosen as a 2004 Milken Educator for his 
dedication to teaching and his leadership in the field. In 2006, 
Darrell accepted the position of superintendent of the Andes Central 
School District.
  As superintendent of the Andes Central School District, Darrell has 
been a strong advocate for the integration of technology in the 
classroom. The use of technology has enriched and broadened the 
educational opportunities for students within the school district. 
Under Darrell's leadership, the district now enjoys a child to laptop 
ratio of 2 to 1 in grades kindergarten through 6 and 1 to 1 in grades 7 
to 12. Darrell has also sought to expand access to quality early 
childhood education during his tenure as superintendent. Through 
working with the local Head Start, Andes Central was able to combine 
services to create a more comprehensive preschool program for its 
students.
  While serving as superintendent of Andes Central, Darrell implemented 
a system to monitor student progress using curriculum-based 
measurement. When the South Dakota Department of Education began 
developing a new statewide accountability model for measuring student 
achievement, it sought Darrell's expertise. He has made valuable 
contributions to this effort as a member of the Next Generation 
Accountability Council.
  Darrell is currently serving as the president of the Impacted Schools 
of South Dakota. As a leader within our State's Impact Aid community, 
Darrell and I have met on many occasions, and I have appreciated his 
insights related to public policy and funding for the Impact Aid 
program.
  Darrell's passion for his community extends far beyond the classroom. 
He serves as the vice president of the Charles Mix County Lake 
Restoration Organization, a nonprofit group formed to restore the 
condition of Lake Andes. Through the work of concerned local citizens 
like Darrell, they hope to improve and preserve the beauty of Lake 
Andes for many generations to come. The local economy, the area's 
environment and wildlife, and the recreational opportunities for the 
surrounding community have been improved by these efforts.
  Darrell is regularly known to say, ``It's all about what's right for 
the kids.'' This motto represents one of Darrell's guiding principles 
and has served as words of advice for the many educators, 
administrators, and school personnel who Darrell has mentored over the 
years. Darrell will leave a lasting legacy within the Andes Central 
School District and in the lives of countless young people. On the 
occasion of his retirement, I congratulate and thank Darrell for his 
service to his community and selfless dedication to students in South 
Dakota. I wish him, his wife Diane, and their family a happy and 
healthy retirement.

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