[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 26, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S1487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO OLIVER DIEZ

 Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I recognize Oliver Diez, the 
Miami-Dade County Teacher of the Year from Palmetto Elementary School 
in Pinecrest, FL.
  Oliver received this award in recognition for his dedication to 
teaching children a passion for music before they leave elementary 
school. He begins teaching students how to play an introductory 
instrument, the recorder, at an early age. From there, they can join 
one of his school's before and afterschool offerings of chorus, concert 
band, jazz combo, orchestra, and drum-line. Once they join a music 
program, his lessons focus on teaching them not only how to play 
instruments, but also its history. He believes this builds an 
appreciation for music in his young students.
  Throughout his two-decade long teaching career at Palmetto Elementary 
School, he has built a successful music program at south Florida's 
largest elementary school. His fourth and fifth grade student were 
invited to play at Carnegie Hall in New York City this March, the only 
elementary school students to play. While he believes teaching is messy 
at times, he knows it unites students to work together for the final 
performance.
  Oliver graduated from Florida International University with his 
bachelor's degree in 1999 and returned for his master's degree in 2016, 
both majoring in music education. He also helped launch a booster club 
at his school that is a registered nonprofit for travel expenses for 
performances.
  I express my sincere appreciation to Oliver for all of the 
accomplished work with his students and wish him continued success in 
the years to come.

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