[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 91 (Thursday, May 25, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. VALERIE PITTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2017

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. Valerie 
Pitts on her retirement after a stellar 35-year career in public 
education, most recently as Superintendent of the Larkspur-Corte Madera 
School District for the past 12 years. Dr. Pitts dedicated her 
professional tenure to supporting and promoting quality public 
education. She is passionate about ensuring equity for students, a 
climate of inclusion, high academic standards, engaging curriculum, and 
an ethos of continuous improvement.
   Born, raised, and educated in Larkspur, California, Dr. Pitts went 
on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Music, a Master's Degree in 
Education, and a Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in 
Organizational Leadership, all from Bay Area universities. She spent 
her educational career in Marin County, first as a teacher for eight 
years at San Rafael High School before moving into curriculum support 
and administration for the duration. In 2005, Dr. Pitts returned to her 
home district in Larkspur where she spent the next dozen years.
   Throughout her tenure, Dr. Pitts shared her considerable educational 
experience, skills, and knowledge to amass a list of accomplishments 
that numerous students, families, and staff will enjoy for years to 
come.
   Among her many achievements, Dr. Pitts led the Larkspur-Corte Madera 
School District during a time of exponential growth in student 
enrollment, wherein she managed major facilities improvements funded by 
taxpayer dollars and created state-of-the-art learning environments and 
curriculum for the district. This included the installation of a solar 
energy project that is projected to save the district $2 million over 
20 years.
   While serving as Superintendent in the Larkspur-Corte Madera School 
District, Dr. Pitts also acted as Superintendent for the Sausalito--
Marin City School District during transitions in leadership. This 
generosity of spirit was extended to her fellow superintendents around 
the County and in other school districts through her work on the Joint 
Legislative Advisory Committee and many other county leadership roles.
   Dr. Pitts' legacy of professional and civic contributions will leave 
indelible benefits to Marin County for years to come. She is a student 
focused leader, whose commitment to equity and excellence in public 
education is outstanding. It is appropriate that she has been selected 
for many honors, including the prestigious Marin County's 2017 Educator 
of the Year award as she retires from an exceptional career in public 
education, at the Golden Bell Award Ceremony on May 25, 2017, and 
hosted by the San Rafael Elks Lodge No. 1108, Marin County School 
Boards Association, Marin Association of Superintendents, and Marin 
County Office of Education.
   Mr. Speaker, please join me in expressing deep appreciation for Dr. 
Pitts' long and extraordinary professional service, congratulate her on 
being named the 2017 Educator of the Year, and extend to her best 
wishes on her retirement.

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