(October 6, 2008) Bellflower, CA – Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) presented a certificate of Congressional Recognition to Valley Christian Elementary School Teacher Pam Leestma, who was selected for the National American Stars of Teaching Award by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The congresswoman congratulated Ms. Leestma for the award and praised her creative teaching methods in science as vital to the future of the United States and its communities. The award was given to five out of 5,000 teacher nominees throughout the country for improving student achievement and teaching innovatively. Ms. Leestma facilitated the first coast-to-coast live video conference between her students and those from a New York City afterschool program with NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Pictured in the second photo from left to right: Valley Christian Schools’ Board of Directors President, Ken Solomon; Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard; Teacher Honoree, Pam Leestma; Bellflower Mayor, Randy Bomgaars; and Valley Christian Schools Superintendent, Kevin Kaemingk. Pictured in the third photo from left to right: Mother Lynn Kim; her two children, who attend Valley Christian Elementary, 12-year-old Tiffany, and 8-year-old Toby (who is also a student of Teacher Leestma); and Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard.