[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 34 (Friday, February 27, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E277-E278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING MRS. ANNA BARRY AS THE 2016 ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA, 
                          TEACHER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 27, 2015

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. 
Anna Barry as the 2016 Escambia County Teacher of the Year. Teachers 
are amongst our Nation's most valuable public servants. They are 
responsible for mentoring our students and ensuring that our next 
generation emerges ready to lead our Nation in the future. Mrs. Barry's 
assiduous work ethic, unbridled enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment 
to student engagement exemplify the characteristics of an exemplary 
teacher.
   For more than a decade, Mrs. Barry has served the students of 
Northwest Florida, inspiring them to strive for excellence and 
empowering all those who pass through her classroom to reach their full 
potential. Her dedication to her students' success fosters an 
atmosphere of achievement, and her commitment to a layered curriculum 
teaching method, where each individual student can take ownership of 
their education, helps ensure that students remain engaged and 
conscientious.
   Mrs. Barry began her career teaching U.S. History, Science, and 
Geography at Ernest Ward Middle School. Despite being new to the 
profession, Mrs. Barry tackled her position head on and immediately 
began making an impact on her students. She also took on leadership 
positions at the school and helped to coordinate instruction amongst 
all grade levels.
   Following her successful years at Ernest Ward, Mrs. Barry began 
teaching at her high school alma mater, Northview High School, where 
she once again established herself as an exceptional teacher and 
leader. At Northview, Mrs. Barry has served as a Faculty Leader, 
History Department Chair, and a member of the Florida Standards Team, 
which helps ensure that teachers are ready to meet the updated state 
education standards. While at Northview, she has also taken the lead in 
several other initiatives, including forming the first-ever Model 
United Nations (UN) Team for Escambia County and working with the local 
community to secure the funding necessary to have her students travel 
to Orlando to participate in Model UN. Mrs. Barry also serves as the 
coach for the Varsity and Junior Varsity cheerleading teams, produces 
the Miss Northview High School Pageant, and is a co-sponsor of the 
Student Government Association.
   Thanks in large part to her success within her own school 
environment, Mrs. Barry has

[[Page E278]]

also served in district-wide positions, including service on the World 
History Leadership Committee, where she helped to construct the 
district pacing guide, prepare essential questions to accompany units 
of study, and lead the district's new content session to help World 
History teachers integrate new standards into their curriculum. Mrs. 
Barry has received several previous recognitions for her excellence in 
the classroom, including being named the Escambia County High School 
Social Students Teacher of the Year, as well being recognized by the 
Florida Council for Social Studies.
   The importance of teachers is unquantifiable. Mrs. Barry clearly 
understands the important position that teachers serve as role models 
for their students. Being a role model demands an incontrovertible 
commitment to professionalism in all aspects of life. Mrs. Barry treats 
her students, their parents, faculty, and staff with the utmost 
respect, and, in turn, this respect inspires her students and helps 
engender success in future endeavors. Mrs. Barry also understands the 
importance of working together with other teachers to improve the 
educational experience of their students, and, by sharing her 
experience with all of her fellow colleagues, Mrs. Barry improves the 
quality of her own classroom, as well as the entire school.
   Each and every teacher should be commended for their commitment to 
our Nation's future. To be selected as Teacher of the Year, chosen from 
a large pool of extremely qualified applicants, is a reflection of Mrs. 
Barry's tremendous work ethic and steadfast dedication to the students 
of Northwest Florida. She has proven to be among the many exceptional 
teachers in our Nation, and I am proud to have her as a constituent in 
Florida's First Congressional District.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am 
privileged to recognize Mrs. Anna Barry for her accomplishments and her 
continuing commitment to excellence at Northview High School and in the 
Escambia County School District. My wife Vicki joins me in 
congratulating Mrs. Barry, and we wish her all the best.

                          ____________________