[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10194]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING DONALD DYE--WINNER OF THE TOP TEACHER AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 2010

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Donald Dye, an 
English teacher at the Belmond-Klemme Community School District in 
Belmond, Iowa, for winning the national ``Top Teacher Award'' search. 
Mr. Dye was named the top teacher on the Live with Regis and Kelly 
television program.
  Mr. Dye was recommended for the award by Jim and Dianna Suntken and 
Curt and Diane Stadtlander, who wrote of Don in their nomination essay:
  ``Teaching is his passion! He believes in a good education for all 
and that school pride makes good citizens and a better world. Mr. Dye 
is affectionately known to his students and friends as ``Mr. D''. He is 
a compassionate, unselfish teacher who believes that all students, no 
matter their life styles or race, are all worthy and should always be 
taken seriously. All students are treated equal and special by him.
  ``Don Dye teaches English/literature and short stories at the 
Belmond/Klemme high school in our small community of Belmond, Iowa, 
where he has taught many different age levels for 37 years. He is 
respected and looked to for advice by fellow teachers not only for his 
teaching expertise, but for his warm and bubbly personality and 
incredible sense of humor. He has been on many committees and boards in 
the local school, area, and state.
  ``On the first day of school, Mr. D supplies the students with his 
home and cell phone number and strongly encourages them to call him 
night or day, no matter what the problem--whether if its to retrieve 
something from a locker, help writing a paper, and most importantly if 
they need a friend or someone to listen to them. He always says no 
problem is too big or small. He is always available 24-7 without fail. 
His family and friends tease him about not getting enough sleep, 
because his phone is always ringing. Just the other day a young boy 
needed someone to talk to about his sister lying in a hospital bed 
while taking chemotherapy and he knew that Mr. D always has time to 
listen. His closest friends know that he keeps his simple apartment, so 
he can have time to help people and families in need. Many years ago he 
lost the love of his life in a car accident; and since then he has 
devoted his life to helping others.
  ``Don Dye also takes great pride in our community. He has served on 
many boards, community events, and helped with many fundraisers for 
students or people in the community suffering from cancer, needing 
organ transplants, or other crises. He makes hospital visits, always 
surprising people with baked goods, and helping neighbors in need in 
some way--even if they don't think they are ``in need''. If someone is 
short on money, he will help them financially or lend a listening ear. 
He says he is just ``doin' what his mamma and papa taught him'', being 
raised a Pastor's kid and learning this as a child. Don is very active 
in church, including his second biggest passion of sharing his talent 
of music--playing the organ or singing in choirs. He is often found 
helping involve other people and youngsters to share their musical 
talents.
  ``But the ``job'' that Mr. Dye is the most passionate about is his 
teaching. You will often find him on the weekends at the school working 
on papers, thinking of great ways to involve the students and present 
his literature, helping students fill out scholarship papers, or 
helping former students with college work. And his cell phone still 
rings with college students needing advice not only in academics, but 
often adapting to college life or dealing with life's struggles. You 
will find college students stopping by the school just to check in with 
Mr. D.
  ``All students' self worth and pride are very important to Mr. Dye. 
He wants them to feel good about themselves. He will often brighten 
their moods or spark up their energy levels with music and a ``little 
dance'' as they enter class. No student will ever go hungry around Mr. 
D, due to lack of time or money. There is always a tub of healthy food. 
He feels that if students are hungry, their minds are not as sharp. 
Students also know where to get a tie for speech day, socks or 
sweatshirts if they are cold, or many other necessities that can be 
found in his cupboards.
  ``We hope you will carefully consider Mr. Donald Dye as one of your 
top teachers, because he never expects any praise or to be in the 
spotlight. Belmond parents are very grateful to have him as a teacher 
for their children and role model for all. His favorite motto is 
``Celebrate the Day'', so we want to celebrate a day for Mr. Dye!''
  Madam Speaker, Mr. Dye's award also underscores the powerful sense of 
community in the Belmond-Klemme School District, which rallied around 
Mr. Dye when it was announced that he was a finalist for the award. 
Always a humble man, Mr. Dye is among the first to acknowledge that 
this award, which was determined by online voting and presented live on 
``Regis and Kelly,'' couldn't have happened without the community-wide 
effort and support.
  The award underscores the value that Iowa has always placed on 
education. Every student who has gone to school in Iowa knows a great 
teacher like Mr. Dye, and every community in the state does everything 
it can to make sure students have the best possible chance to succeed 
in the classroom. Iowans know that the best way to invest in the future 
of our state is to invest in the education of our children. Mr. Dye's 
award is a testament to the commitment we place on education.
  Mr. Dye is an incredible teacher, and his dedication to his 
profession and to his students should make every Iowan proud. It's an 
honor to represent him and the people of the Belmond-Klemme Community 
School District in the United States Congress, and I know that my 
colleagues in the House join me in congratulating ``Mr. D'' on this 
well-deserved award and thanking him for his dedicated service to his 
community and America's youth.

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