[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 64 (Thursday, April 19, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO SAMANTHA LAMORA

 Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today I recognize Samantha Lamora, 
the St. Lucie County Teacher of the Year from Savanna Ridge Elementary 
School in Port St. Lucie, FL.
  Samantha received the Teacher of the Year award for her student's 
superior performance, her teaching routines, and outstanding classroom 
practices. Inspired by her students' desire to learn, grow, and 
celebrate their own successes, Samantha values collaboration and looks 
for opportunities to extend that beyond the classroom by establishing 
solid partnerships between home and school. At the start of each year, 
she writes to the parents of her students a letter detailing her 
educational philosophy, expectation of success for her students, and 
pledge to partner with them in their child's academic journey to 
guarantee achievement.
  Her classroom is open to parents on a number of occasions each year 
in order to celebrate the accomplishments of their children. In the 
spirit of working collaboratively with her colleagues, Samantha also 
helps to produce a weekly newsletter to streamline communication. She 
also is an active member of the school's positive behavior intervention 
success, parent-teacher organization, and literacy committees that help 
to plan events after school in an effort to bridge the gap between home 
and school. She is always seeking to make a positive difference for her 
students.
  Samantha is a first grade teacher at Savanna Ridge Elementary School 
with 5 years of teaching experience. Stepping into the role of a 
teacher is an answer to a lifetime career calling she deems magical.
  I express my best wishes to Samantha for her commitment and 
dedication to her students. I look forward to hearing of her continued 
success in the years ahead.

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