[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 10, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING DR. LIZA BURRELL-ALDANA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONALD S. BEYER, JR.

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 10, 2023

  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to congratulate 
Dr. Liza Burrell-Aldana, principal of Mount Vernon Community School in 
Alexandria, VA on being named 2023 Washington Post Principal of the 
Year. Dr. Burrell-Aldana has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills 
through both typical and exceptional circumstances. As the principal of 
the only full dual language school in Alexandria City Public Schools, 
Dr. Burrell-Aldana believes that all students have the capacity to 
achieve their dreams, and that bilingualism, biliteracy, and 
biculturalism are key to students' future success in a global society. 
Her belief in the power of dual language education has guided her 
leadership in the transformation of Mount Vernon Community School into 
a high-performing, multicultural and multilingual school in which 
administrators, faculty, staff and families work collaboratively to 
implement the mission and vision of the school.
  Dr. Burrell-Aldana has led the adoption of new and innovative 
instructional approaches that emphasize the integration of content and 
language instruction so that all students are able to succeed in an 
academically rigorous learning environment. These approaches emphasize 
critical-thinking, hands-on learning, engaging in metalinguistic 
analysis of the two program languages, academic discussion and writing, 
and inquiry.
  Her efforts have led to significant academic growth between 2018 and 
now for various student groups, despite the unprecedented learning 
interruptions experienced in school years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, as 
well as the challenges faced with the reopening of schools in 2021-
2022. Dr. Burrell-Aldana's voice, vision, and experiences are unique, 
and represent a much-needed perspective in K through 12 education. 
Through her steadfast leadership and powerful vision of bilingualism 
and biculturalism, Dr. Burrell-Aldana has fostered a school experience 
and community that values and celebrates students' linguistic and 
cultural assets, and truly believes in the potential of all students.
  On behalf of the residents of Virginia's 8th Congressional District, 
I congratulate Dr. Liza Burrell-Aldana on her outstanding achievement.

                          ____________________