[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 22, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO HELENE HOTALING

 Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I honor Helene Hotaling, the 
Marion County Teacher of the Year from Madison Street Academy in Ocala, 
FL.
  Helene believes what best describes her life as a child, parent, and 
as an educator can be attributed to a quote from Dr. Seuss: ``To the 
world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.''
  Helene's parents were poor, had little education, and spoke broken 
English. As a result, her initial introduction to school in first grade 
was difficult. It was not until a retired teacher in her neighborhood 
guided her to where she is today. That retired teacher, Ms. Nuesell, 
saw she could make a difference in her life and taught her the joy of 
learning. This inspired Helene to become a teacher at a young age.
  Ms. Nuesell took Helene to the library and sat with her as she 
struggled to read. This kindness and persistence paid off, and by the 
time Helene entered second grade, she could read and keep up with her 
classmates academically. Helene knows Ms. Nuesell did not have to do 
this; she did so because she enjoyed teaching. Ms. Nuesell has been her 
role model in life.
  Helene is a graduate of the University of Georgia with bachelor of 
arts degree in elementary education and a master's degree in teaching 
reading from Barry University. She has been a teacher for 29 years, 
with all but 2 years in Marion County. Helene has taught fourth grade, 
third grade, second grade, and kindergarten, She is currently a third 
grade teacher at Madison Street Academy.
  I thank Helene for her dedication to teaching countless students 
throughout her nearly three decades long career. I express my best 
wishes for her continued success in the years to come.

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