[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 140 (Thursday, August 6, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S5266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MELISSA NELSON

 Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today I am pleased to recognize 
Melissa Nelson, the St. Lucie County Teacher of the Year from 
Allapattah Flats K-8 in St. Lucie, FL.
  Allapattah Flats principal Ana Rodriguez-Oronoz previously taught 
Melissa as a student in her fifth grade class at White City Elementary 
School. Now, as a teacher herself, Principal Rodriguez-Oronoz noted 
that Melissa knows each of her students' unique strengths and 
understands her place in the classroom as their coach and mentor.
  Melissa works with her students each day to complete their 
assignments and ensure they understand the topics covered. She tutors 
students during lunch and after school and provides them with 
incentives and rewards to celebrate their accomplishments, believing 
this helps to make her instructions more effective.
  Melissa teaches eighth grade algebra at Allapattah Flats K-8 and 
previously worked as a data specialist. She is a graduate of St. Lucie 
Public Schools and has taught within the district since 2012.
  I offer my sincere gratitude to Melissa for her commitment to her 
students. I look forward to hearing of her continued good work in the 
years to come.

                          ____________________