[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 138 (Tuesday, August 3, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S5711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JAMES SCHMITT

 Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, I am pleased to recognize James 
Schmitt, the Duval County Teacher of the Year from Mandarin High School 
in Jacksonville, FL.
  Jim encourages his students to become self-learners and implements 
techniques to keep them engaged in the classroom. He challenges his 
students through class discussions and encourages their voices to be 
heard among their peers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jim started the 
Teachers Teach Teachers program, a districtwide mentorship program 
where educators share teaching strategies among one another. The 
program played a key role in helping colleagues learn and implement new 
forms of teaching to accommodate distance learning, helping his fellow 
educators to remain engaged throughout a difficult school year.
  Jim earned his master's degree in educational leadership from the 
University of Phoenix and has 28 years of teaching experience. Prior to 
teaching, he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy for 6 years.
  I extend my sincere gratitude to Jim for his dedication to educating 
students. I look forward to hearing of his continued success in the 
years to come.

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