[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23252]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF JO ANN MITTENBERG, NEW YORK STATE'S 
                   AMERICAN STAR OF TEACHING HONOREE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 19, 2005

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
accomplishments of Jo Ann Mittenberg, who was recognized in September 
by the U.S. Department of Education as the American Star of Teaching 
honoree from New York State. This exceptional honor goes annually to 
one exemplary teacher from each state.
  Ms. Mittenberg has taught math for over 27 years and has been a 
teacher in the Farmingdale Union Free School district for over 14 
years. Her colleagues describe her as a ``gifted, caring, tireless, 
dedicated person with a superb mathematical background and 
extraordinary teaching skills.''
  Over the years, Ms. Mittenberg has taught Sequential I, II and III 
Mathematics, Grade 8 Math, Grade 8 Remedial Math, Regents Competency 
Math, Pre-Calculus Syracuse University Calculus Program and C.W. Post 
SCALE Calculus for college credit. Additionally, she has taught 
computer programming, computer literacy, SAT preparation, and GED 
preparation courses. One of Ms. Mittenberg's most impressive successes 
in the classroom has been helping ninth graders with disabilities pass 
state Regents exams with a 90 percent success rate.
  Ms. Mittenberg's dedication to providing Long Island students with a 
strong math education doesn't end in the classroom. She works hard to 
ensure that her colleagues are trained in the most innovative teaching 
techniques. As a certified Texas Instruments T-Fast (Technology for All 
Students) instructor, Ms. Mittenberg trains other teachers to use the 
newest, most advanced calculators. Over the years, she has taught 
almost 200 hours of in-service and professional development workshops.
  I am proud to have nominated Ms. Mittenberg for this prestigious and 
well-deserved honor. We have heard time and again the importance of 
math and science in the classroom. Long Islanders can be proud that 
teachers like Jo Ann Mittenberg are teaching their children skills they 
need to be successful in tomorrow's world.

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