[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 12, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING IOWA'S TEACHERS AS IOWANS OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 2020

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, in honor of National Teacher Appreciation 
Week, I am recognizing the incredible educators of Iowa's Third 
Congressional District as our Iowans of the Week. Their daily 
contributions to our children's lives have perhaps never been more 
evident than during the past couple of months while our nation battles 
the COVID-19 pandemic. As distance learning has become the new norm, 
parents-turned-home-educators have developed a whole new appreciation 
for the academic, social, and emotional support teachers provide our 
children.
  It has been remarkable to see educators and school staff rise to the 
challenge of serving their students in the face of this unprecedented 
crisis. With little time to plan and while coping with the pandemic 
themselves, they transitioned lesson plans to fit the constraints of 
distance learning and have worked hard to find creative ways to keep 
students engaged. Within the Des Moines Public School district alone, 
teachers have now moved more than 6,300 Pre-K through 8th grade classes 
to an online learning platform and distributed nearly 21,000 laptop 
computers to students across grade levels. In districts across central 
and southwest Iowa, teachers have also packed countless bags of books, 
school supplies, games, and other supports for students and families. 
And at Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs, teachers are now 
hosting activities like Anime Club meetups via Google Hangouts.
  Their efforts extend far beyond traditional lesson plans. Teachers 
were among the first to recognize and fill the void of food insecurity 
for many students in their school districts; for weeks now, they have 
stepped up to pack and serve tens of thousands of meals weekly for 
students who might otherwise go without. They know many students still 
need a wellness check, so educators have donned masks and knocked on 
doors to make sure students are safe and secure. And at the end of the 
day, teachers still find the energy to organize parades through their 
school districts just to put a smile on their students' faces.
  Their contributions to our community don't end with their students. 
We even have teachers who are working around the clock to produce face 
shields for health care workers on their school's 3D printers.
  Teachers deserve special recognition this week and every week for 
their willingness to go above and beyond for the benefit of our 
students and families. In many ways, educators are the heart of Iowa's 
communities. They are thoughtful caretakers and mentors of our 
generations to come, and it is a role they approach with purpose and 
compassion. While educators face various professional challenges, many 
see teaching as their life's calling. I am grateful for every person 
who has chosen to spend their careers sparking curiosity and creativity 
in our children. So please allow me to express my deep appreciation and 
thanks to every teacher in Iowa's Third Congressional District, and to 
honor them as Iowans of the Week.

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