[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12078-12079]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO COLONEL LEAH WALLER

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 2008

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor 
Leah Waller, recently awarded the title of 2007-2008 Baltimore City 
Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Waller has been a teacher with the Baltimore 
City Public School System for eight years, teaching Kindergarten and 
first grade at Maree G. Farring Elementary School.
  When she's not teaching at Farring Elementary, Mrs. Waller has taught 
Summer School and tutored at the Jemicy School for Dyslexic Children. 
She has served as a mentor teacher for student teachers and new 
teachers. In addition, she has worked closely with the Children's 
Literacy Initiative and was selected to be a Model Classroom for 
Baltimore City.
  Always well prepared for daily instruction, Mrs. Waller utilizes the 
curriculum and Baltimore City Public School System mandated programs in 
an effective and engaging way. In Mrs. Waller's classroom, lessons are 
thoroughly developed with the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learner 
in mind. Skills and concepts are successfully mastered through a 
variety of strategies and techniques to ensure full comprehension from 
the students.
  The individual needs of all students are met in Mrs. Waller's 
classroom. Assessment data is consistently analyzed to diagnose student 
strengths and areas for concern. This data is analyzed to help drive 
instruction in the most beneficial way. Because of the active 
participation in the learning process, the environment in Mrs. Waller's 
classroom is very conducive to learning. She holds her students to

[[Page 12079]]

the highest expectations and creates an atmosphere of mutual respect 
between the teacher and students.
  Mrs. Waller's professional responsibilities are fulfilled with great 
care. She maintains an organized recordkeeping system that monitors 
individual student achievement and progress. Constantly interacting 
with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators, Mrs. Waller 
works collaboratively to ensure the academic success and social 
development of her students.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Leah Waller 
in her acceptance of the 2007-2008 Baltimore City Teacher of the Year 
Award. Her legacy as a dedicated, enthusiastic educator will be forever 
remembered by the grateful students who walk through her classroom 
doors. It is with great pride that I congratulate Leah Waller on her 
exemplary career in education and her outstanding performance at Maree 
G. Farring Elementary School in Baltimore City.

                          ____________________