[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6931]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF MICHELLE PARKS

  (Mr. KIND asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor Michelle Parks and her 
contributions as a great American educator at Northstar Middle School 
in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. President Bush has honored Ms. Parks with the 
2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science, the 
Nation's highest honor for teaching in these fields. In addition to the 
national recognition that comes with the award, Ms. Parks will receive 
a National Science Foundation Grant of $10,000.
  Ms. Parks teaches eighth grade mathematics, and her colleagues and 
principal at Northstar Middle School regard her as crucial to the 
success of the school and the performance of her students. Admired for 
her enthusiasm, creativity and knowledge, Ms. Parks is one of the most 
dedicated educators in the State of Wisconsin and nationwide. She is an 
advocate and pioneer for many collaborative efforts, including the 
connected mathematics programs. This program creates a complete 
mathematics curriculum that helps students systematically develop a 
deeper understanding of elementary mathematical concepts.
  Mr. Speaker, we are deeply indebted to teachers such as Ms. Parks, 
who are the leaders in sustaining our Nation's innovation and 
competitiveness with our students. And on behalf of a grateful Nation, 
but especially on behalf of her students, we thank her for her many 
years of dedication and congratulate her here this evening.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Michelle Parks and her 
contributions as a great American educator at Northstar Middle School 
in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. President Bush has honored Ms. Parks with the 
2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science, the 
Nation's highest honor for teaching in these fields. In addition to the 
national recognition that comes with the award, Michelle Parks will 
receive a National Science Foundation grant of $10,000.
  Ms. Parks teaches 8th grade mathematics, and her colleagues and 
principal at Northstar Middle School regard her as crucial to the 
success of the school at the performance of her students. Admired for 
her enthusiasm, creativity and knowledge, Ms. Parks is one of the most 
dedicated educators in the State of Wisconsin and nationwide. She is an 
advocate and pioneer for many collaborative efforts, including the 
Connected Mathematics Program. This program creates a complete 
mathematics curriculum that helps students systematically develop a 
deeper understanding of elemental mathematical concepts.
  Ms. Parks believes that letting her students be successful in front 
of their peers is the key to getting them to take risks to succeed. 
Further, she finds unique approaches to teaching and problem solving 
and encourages critical thinking in her students. Making learning fun, 
according to Ms. Parks, is the key to bringing math and science closer 
to students. In addition to this award, Ms. Parks has also been 
recognized by the Kohl Teacher Fellowship.
  I am very pleased to recognize Ms. Parks today before the U.S. 
Congress for her hard work and dedication to the families and students 
of Northstar Middle School. Being one of a hundred 7th-12th grade 
teachers nationwide to receive the award, Michelle Parks exemplifies 
excellence that should be the goal of all educators in the United 
States. Our Nation has long been the global leader in scientific 
research and development. In order to maintain that edge and strengthen 
America's competitiveness, it is critical that we make the necessary 
investments to educate and train the next generation of scientists, 
researchers, and innovators.
  As a Member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, I have 
introduced legislation to establish a competitive undergraduate grant 
program to improve opportunities for education and job training in 
math, science, engineering, and technology. Further, during 
reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, I, along with Chairman 
McKeon and Representatives Ehlers and Holt, included an amendment in 
the Higher Education Act that will provide additional resources and 
assistance for students choosing to study in these fields.
  Mr. Speaker, we are deeply indebted to teachers such as Ms. Parks who 
are the leaders in sustaining our Nation's innovation and 
competitiveness with our children.
  On behalf of a grateful Nation, I more importantly, on behalf of the 
many students who have benefited by having Ms. Parks as their math 
teacher, I say congratulations and thank you.

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