[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 170 (Friday, October 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING ANN SWENSON AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 28, 2022

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today and ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in honoring Ann Swenson as our Iowan of the 
Week.
  Ann Swenson is the daughter of two public school teachers who taught 
her the importance of empowering young people in their classrooms and 
standing up for educators everywhere with the local teachers' union.
  After graduating from college, Ann found herself merging her personal 
love for music and passion for education by following in her mother's 
footsteps and becoming an elementary music teacher.
  As an elementary music teacher in Waukee Community Schools, she 
spends her days connecting kids to music--helping them discover new 
talents, gain a new perspective, and most importantly, have fun, even 
during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the throes of the COVID-19 
pandemic, Ann found herself finding new and creative ways to brighten 
her students' days through music--whether it be over Zoom during 
virtual learning, or wheeling a cart of materials around so students 
wouldn't have to travel from classroom to classroom.
  Ann's impact reaches far beyond the classroom. She also serves as 
copresident of the Waukee Education Association and on the executive 
board of the Iowa State Education Association. She works directly with 
educators and support staff to ensure that they are treated with the 
dignity and respect they deserve.
  As Ann says, ``all teachers deserve to have a voice because happy 
teachers help make happy kids.''
  She has spent her entire career inspiring her students and fighting 
for educators across Iowa, and I'm so proud to name her this week's 
Iowan of the Week.

                          ____________________