[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4334]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING ELLA RILEY GARDNER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2008

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ella Riley 
Gardner who after thirty-four years of service with the New York City 
Department of Education retired in 2004. Born in Beaufort, South 
Carolina, she is the only child of Dan and Idelle Riley. She is a wife 
and mother of Elliot, Michelle, and Deisha, all college graduates and 
the grandmother of Shantrelle, Jonelle, Terrell, and Michaela.
  Ella's motto, ``Love your calling with a passion; it is the meaning 
of your life'' saw her teaching English for twenty-three years where he 
enjoyed the richness of literature, poetry, novels, short stories, 
essays, etc. from all over the world. Her greatest joy was to see the 
expression of awe and wonder on the faces of her students as he 
unfolded the themes and life lessons derived from literature. Her 
greatest satisfaction was to know that they had learned and achieved as 
a result of her diligent and thorough instruction.
  Ella received many accolades during her tenure as teach, including 
``Teacher of the Year'' in 1992. From that year until her retirement, 
were spent in various capacities of administration and supervision: 
Site Facilitator for District 5 Professional Development Laboratory; 
Department Chairperson, Literacy Staff Developer, Assessment 
Coordinator, Assistant Principal at I.S. 195 and administrator of a 
$350,000 Comprehensive School Reform Technology Grant from 2002 until 
her retirement.
  As an avid community servant, Ella serves children and women in two 
community-based shelters, adopted schools and other community concerns 
through two professional organizations; the National Sorority of Phi 
Delta Kappa and the National Association of Negro Business and 
Professional Women's Clubs. She is currently in her second term as 
President of the Brooklyn Club. There, she was instrumental in securing 
an endowment fund that provides $22,000 yearly for five years to 
Brooklyn Club scholarship applicants.
  Madam Speaker, Ella Riley Gardner's educational preparation includes 
a B.A. in English, City College New York (1971); MA in Reading CCNY 
(1973); MS in Educational Administration and Supervision, Pace 
University (1987); Paralegal Certificate, Long Island University 
(1989); Professional Diploma in Teacher Leadership, Teacher Leadership 
Institute at NYU (1993). As a lifelong learner, Ms. Gardner continues 
to enhance her knowledge and oftentimes attends countless workshops and 
seminars that expound the latest developments in literacy.
  Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to pay tribute to Ella Riley Gardner 
for her selfless dedication to her passion--her calling as a teacher.

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