[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18825]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING 2010 FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR, 
                              MEGAN ALLEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 22, 2009

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 
2010 Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year, Megan Allen 
of Tampa Bay. An elementary school teacher, Ms. Allen was selected 
among finalists from across the state of Florida. Ms. Allen is a 
wonderful example of educators who make a positive difference in the 
lives of their students.
  Ms. Allen graduated from Clemson University in 2000 and continued her 
education at The University of South Florida, graduating in 2003 with a 
master's degree in elementary education. Until her senior of her 
undergraduate studies, Ms. Allen planned on pursuing a law degree and 
eventually a career as a lawyer. However after losing her mother to 
pancreatic cancer during her senior year of college, Ms. Allen made the 
decision to pursue a degree in education--just as her mother had done 
years before.
  Ms. Allen, who was named Teacher of the Year for Hillsborough County 
in February, was chosen from more than 180,000 public school teachers 
throughout the state. Ms. Allen has taught the fourth grade at 
Cleveland Elementary School in Tampa for five years.
  Ms. Allen's impact is felt throughout the community. A National Board 
Certified Teacher, Ms. Allen was selected for her energetic, 
enthusiastic teaching style, and her community service projects outside 
the classroom. Beloved by her students, Ms. Allen often dresses up for 
FCAT study sessions, and leads her class in decimal-point rap songs. 
She says her style involves anything to grab the kids' attention.
  Madam Speaker, the selection of Megan Allen is a firm testament to 
the standards of quality education in the state of Florida. Ms. Allen 
is one example of the dedication and incredible talent of our teachers, 
and I am so happy that she chose to follow in her mother's footsteps 
and am proud to have her teaching the children of my community.

                          ____________________