[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 2, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S2185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO HOLLIE CUNNINGHAM

 Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I recognize Hollie 
Cunningham, the Marion County Teacher of the Year from West Port High 
School in Ocala, FL.
  After Hollie received the teacher of the year award at the Circle 
Square Cultural Center, she credited God with leading her on this 
journey. When she first started college, she was an education major and 
contemplated earning degrees in teaching or nursing. One of her 
professors, Dr. Osteen, gave her advice she considered an impactful 
pearl of wisdom: Dr. Osteen advised her to become a nurse as she would 
always have the chance to teach. She earned her bachelor of science in 
nursing from Florida State University in 2002 and her master of science 
in family practice from the University of South Alabama, College of 
Medicine in 2011.
  Hollie said she left the nursing profession because God put it on her 
heart to become a high school teacher as her students are worth the 
effort and sacrifice. Hollie teaches certified nursing assistant, 
electrocardiograph technician tech honors, health science foundations 
II honor, and medical skills classes and is the department chair for 
the vocational department.
  She has the opportunity to instruct young students interested in 
nursing. She believes great teachers are always on call, like doctors 
and nurses, and that teaching is a gift, not a degree.
  I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Hollie for her medical 
work and dedication to teaching her students. I look forward to hearing 
of her continued success in the years to come.

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