[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 99 (Wednesday, June 7, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO TARA KLINK

 Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I recognize Tara Klink, the Franklin 
County Teacher of the Year, from Franklin County School in Eastpoint, 
FL.
  Teaching was different from Tara's original career plan. She 
initially wanted to be a biologist, but coaching volleyball at Franklin 
County High School made her want to be involved with students. She felt 
she was making more of an impact on the lives of others and decided to 
change careers. Tara finds teaching to be a fulfilling job and allows 
her to serve her community. She has worked with students in sixth, 
seventh, and eighth grade science. At the high school level, she taught 
marine science, biology, environmental science, and math for college 
readiness. She is currently in her 9th year of teaching and teaches 
forensic science.
  Tara graduated as valedictorian at Apalachicola High School in 2006. 
She earned her bachelor's degree in environmental science from the 
University of West Florida in 2011. She worked 5 years for the Florida 
Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and 
Wildlife Conservation Commission. Since becoming a teacher, she has sat 
on the homecoming and graduation committees and is president of the 
Franklin County Teachers Association.
  I offer my deepest gratitude and best wishes to Tara for her 
commitment to her students. I look forward to hearing about her 
continued success as she enters working in school administration and 
completes her master's degree in educational leadership from the 
University of West Florida.

                          ____________________