[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22011]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF NIKA MAPLES THE 2007 TEXAS SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE 
                                  YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 14, 2006

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Nika Maples 
for being recognized as the 2007 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. 
She is an English teacher at Fossil Ridge High School in the Keller 
Independent School District in Fort Worth, Texas.
  After suffering a stroke at the young age of 20, Nika has dedicated 
her life to making a difference in the lives of others. She began by 
teaching illiterate adults how to read and write. Nika has volunteered 
abroad in Japan, Thailand, and Germany to teach English as a Second 
Language.
  As a 10th grade English teacher, Nika gives her students the 
confidence to reach their fullest potential. Her unique life 
experiences have encouraged an enthusiasm for teaching, and reaffirmed 
her commitment to make learning come alive in the classroom. Nika 
demonstrates how students should embrace life and live a life of 
abundance every day. She was also honored as the Keller I.S.D. 
Secondary Teacher of the Year for the 2005-2006 school year.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to represent such a dedicated and 
passionate teacher in the 26th District of Texas. Nika Maples serves as 
a role model not only for her students, but for all teachers around the 
Nation who share her devotion to helping others.

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