[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12753-12754]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                               ANDREW IVY

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Andrew Ivy, an exceptional history teacher and role model from 
Kirkland, WA. Mr. Ivy has been named Teacher of the Year by the Richard 
T. Farrell Teacher of Merit Award for outstanding success in teaching 
history. This national award is presented every year to an educator who 
develops and uses innovative and creative teaching methods that 
interest students in history and help them make exciting discoveries 
about the past. As a teacher at International Community School in 
Kirkland, WA, Mr. Ivy has shown exemplary commitment to making history 
education engaging and exciting, while involving

[[Page 12754]]

his students in the National History Day Program.
  National History Day is a yearlong program in which students explore 
historical topics related to an annual theme. Participants qualify for 
national competition after competing in several local and State 
competitions. In preparing his students for the program, Mr. Ivy's work 
ethic and research skills provided students with the tools necessary to 
be successful in competition.
  Teachers like Mr. Ivy play an important role in education. By 
teaching about the nations past they keep our history a part of our 
current lives. When children question, and discuss our history, 
teachers are doing something profoundly patriotic; they are helping 
students understand who we are as a nation--the importance of our 
common heritage and the values that make us unique.
  Andrew Ivy has proven exceptional. His drive to offer his students 
the best education possible has led him to invest a great deal of 
personal study in his curriculum. He regularly attends training classes 
to ensure that the material he teaches is accurate and current. 
Additionally, Mr. Ivy often tries new approaches to his teaching method 
in order to keep his classroom interested and challenged. His 
curriculum often changes to meet his very own high standards and his 
students greatly benefit from all of his efforts.
  Mr. President, I find it heartening that there are educators in this 
country who devote so much time and effort to shaping the minds of our 
young people. I hope you and our colleagues will join me in recognizing 
Mr. Andrew Ivy for his dedication to educating the potential leaders of 
tomorrow.

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