[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 169 (Thursday, October 24, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6153-S6154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO SARA MEDALEN

 Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a 
remarkable woman who has been named North Dakota's Teacher of the Year. 
Sara Medalen is a reading and math interventionist at Sunnyside 
Elementary School in Minot.
  While working with students to improve their reading and math skills, 
she has also implemented other innovative programs helping Sunnyside 
students gain greater self esteem. Girls arrive mornings before school 
for Books and Braids, so she can braid their hair while they read to 
her. The Girl Power group does charitable projects and hears from local 
women in various professions around town. Her STEAM Saturdays bring 
students together to collaborate on science, technology, engineering, 
arts, and mathematics projects, and Strides for Sunnyside is a running 
group encouraging students to embrace healthy habits and physical 
fitness. Through these programs and her genuine love for teaching and 
learning, Ms. Medalen has made a profound difference at Sunnyside 
School. She is an inspiration to her students, parents and fellow 
educators across North Dakota.
  Mr. President, I congratulate Sara Medalen on this well-deserved 
recognition. We all remember favorite teachers from our own schooldays, 
and no doubt they share many of the good qualities that Ms. Medalen 
brings to her classroom. WalletHub recently ranked North Dakota as one 
of the best States for teachers, and my State has many top quality 
educators who are just as remarkable as Sara Medalen. We cannot thank 
them enough for the positive impact they have every day on North Dakota 
students.

[[Page S6154]]

  

                          ____________________