[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9599]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           COMMENDING EXCEPTIONAL NORTHWEST INDIANA TEACHERS

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 20, 2007

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to commend 
seven exceptional teachers from Northwest Indiana who have been 
recognized as outstanding educators by their peers for the 2006-2007 
school year. These individuals are: Margaret Hurt, Susan Kucharski, 
John Nawrocki, Faylene Altomere, Eileen Meier, Amanda Johnsen, and 
Michelle Strong. These honorees will be presented with the Crystal Bell 
Award at a reception sponsored by the Indiana State Teachers 
Association. This prestigious event will take place at the Andorra 
Restaurant and Banquets in Schererville, Indiana on May 8, 2007.
  Margaret Hurt, from the Tri-Creek School Corporation, has been a 
superior role model to her students at Lowell High School for 26 years, 
where she has served as Social Studies Chair for 20 years. Margaret 
also serves as co-coach for the Lowell Spell Bowl team. She is always 
willing to give her time to prepare students for the future, mentor new 
teachers, and promote new projects that will improve her school.
  Susan Kucharski has 29 years of experience as a teacher and is this 
year's recipient from the Lake Central School Corporation. Susan is 
currently a fourth grade teacher at Protsman Elementary School. She is 
known for her giving nature and always going the extra mile. She serves 
on the PL 221 School Improvement Team and Safety Committee and also 
plays the piano for annual musicals.
  This year's recipient of the Crystal Bell Award from the School Town 
of Highland is Amanda Johnsen. Amanda is a fourth grade teacher at 
Warren Elementary School, where she has taught for 9 years. She has 
given extended time in the K-Kids Program, a partnership with the 
Kiwanis Club to develop student leadership and community involvement. 
Amanda serves as the school's Parent Teacher Organization liaison and 
led the girls' baseball team to a tournament championship.
  John Nawrocki, a math teacher at Taft Middle School for 32 years, has 
been a great asset to the Crown Point Community School Corporation. He 
has served as Math Chairperson and moderator of the Math Bowl, and he 
has also served on the NCA/School Improvement Committee and ISTEP Cut 
Off Committee for the State of Indiana. John always goes to great 
lengths to make himself available to his students and faculty.
  Eileen Meier, this year's recipient from the School Town of Munster, 
has been teaching for the past 24 years. Her expertise lies with 
foreign language, having taught German at Munster High School for the 
past 8 years. Eileen challenges her students to broaden their horizons 
and go the distance in reaching their goals.
  Faylene Altomere is known for her dedication and consistency as a 
great educator. Faylene, a 43-year veteran of the teaching profession, 
is this year's recipient from the Hanover School Corporation. Faylene 
is currently a teacher at Jane Ball Elementary School and has played an 
active role in the lives of students from three generations of some 
families.
  Michelle Strong is this year's Crystal Bell recipient from the North 
Newton School Corporation. Michelle is a beloved military veteran and 
art teacher at Lincoln Elementary School. She has shared her strength, 
positive nature, and love of art throughout her community and her 
school.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me 
in commending these outstanding educators on being recipients of the 
2006-2007 Crystal Bell Award. Their years of hard work have helped to 
shape the minds and futures of Northwest Indiana's young people, and 
each of these outstanding educators is truly an inspiration to us all.

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