[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Page 28428]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DIANE BAHRENBURG

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute to one of 
Vermont's outstanding teachers, Diane Bahrenburg, who last month was 
named the 2008 Vermont Teacher of the Year. Diane is an English teacher 
at Colchester High School in Vermont, where she has taught since 1979. 
I recently had the opportunity to meet Diane in my Washington office, 
and I was impressed with her intellect, her passion for teaching, and 
her commitment to the students of Colchester High School. As we talked 
about her classes and students, it was evident how much Diane cares 
about teaching.
  In being chosen as Vermont's Teacher of the Year, Diane will have the 
opportunity to visit schools throughout our State and others around the 
country. Her travels will allow her to work with other teachers, 
sharing and discussing the methods that have helped her become so 
successful. Hopefully she will share with all of us how she has been 
able to balance the everyday demands of teaching in the classroom, with 
the work she has done as an adjunct instructor at Johnson State College 
and UVM, acting as the Vermont debate-forensics lead coach at 
Colchester High School, and being a parent.
  We all know that teaching is a hard job. And it is a crucial job an 
indispensable link between our young people and their futures, as well 
as our Nation's future. The opportunities for recognition of teachers' 
accomplishments are too few and too far between. So I am so pleased 
that Diane is being recognized for all she has done over three decades, 
day in and day out, to educate our children and to make a constructive 
difference, one child at a time. Teachers are the instrument by which 
we measure the success of our schools. The knowledge, skill, and 
experience of teachers like Diane are exactly what we need in each and 
every one of our classrooms.
  We are fortunate in Vermont. I continue to be impressed by the high 
level of achievement of Vermont's students and the academic gains that 
have been made because of the strong and committed efforts of teachers 
like Diane. In spite of the countless hours spent sorting through the 
maze of No Child Left Behind requirements, our teachers are able to 
inspire students to look beyond tests and find the true lessons of the 
classroom.
  As an alumnus of St. Michael's College in Vermont, I would be remiss 
if I failed to note that Diane received her master's in education 
degree from St. Michael's College in 2000. I believe that she embodies 
the core principles of the college's education programs with her skill 
in maintaining an inclusive classroom, while keeping a balance between 
challenge and support and between individual and community. Diane is a 
model teacher, and after decades of teaching, she is incredibly worthy 
of this recognition. Diane, again I say thank you for all that you do, 
and on behalf of the Senate, we say congratulations.

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