[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16689]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING MS. DEBORAH WASYLIK, RECIPIENT OF THE 2012 RICHARD C. 
                 BARTLETT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AWARD

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                          HON. DANIEL WEBSTER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2012

  Mr. WEBSTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Ms. Deborah 
Wasylik of Orlando, Florida on being named the recipient of the 2012 
Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award. This annual award is 
presented to an outstanding middle or high school teacher who 
integrates environmental studies in their curriculum and engages 
students in interdisciplinary solutions to environmental challenges.
   Ms. Wasylik teaches Advanced Placement Environmental Science and 
Marine Science to juniors and seniors at Dr. Phillips High School. In 
spite of not having a science budget and having to construct curriculum 
on her own, not only have her students on average scored over thirty 
points above the national average on their Advanced Placement exams, 
but they also hold the highest Advanced Placement passing rate in 
Orange County Public Schools. Ms. Wasylik succeeds in engaging her 
students, as well as her fellow colleagues, in environmental studies by 
integrating environmental education across subject areas beyond 
science, including history, language arts and mathematics. Her 
reinforcement of student learning facilitates students making real 
world and local connections associated with environmental issues.
   In addition to their academic successes, her students have excelled 
significantly in achievements beyond the traditional classroom. Her 
students started a recycling program for Dr. Phillips High School's 
campus and created an outreach program to educate other school groups 
on aquaponics. With Ms. Wasylik's help, her students have been able to 
give back to their community in various ways including cleaning up 
beaches, removing invasive plants, and giving tours of the ecosystem 
section at the Orlando Science Center.
   Her spirit of dedication and commitment to her students is an 
example of the life-changing impact a dedicated educator can have on a 
community and on the individual lives of students. She is a shining 
example of the fruits of selflessness demonstrated by educators who 
devote themselves to Florida's future by investing in Florida's 
students.
   On behalf of the citizens of Central Florida, I am pleased to 
recognize and applaud Ms. Deborah Wasylik for her hard work, 
dedication, and leadership. She is most deserving of the 2012 Richard 
C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award. May her investment in our 
nation's students, environment and educational institutions inspire 
others to follow in her footsteps.

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