“The central task of education is to implant a will and facility for learning; it should produce not learned but learning people. The truly human society is a learning society, where grandparents, parents, and children are students together."
- Eric Hoffer
Dear Education Leader:
May 4 is National Teacher Appreciation Day, and I would like to take this time to thank you for your hard work and efforts throughout the school year. Teachers are an incredibly important part of our community and El Paso is fortunate enough to have outstanding talent in our classrooms. In particular, I would like to mark this special occasion by congratulating Mrs. Yushica Walker of Morehead Middle School for being selected as the 2010 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. She is a great example of the talent and dedication in our community, and I commend her on this recognition.
This education e-newsletter includes updates on STEM opportunities and President Obama’s new blueprint for revising the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as well as information on a range of programs available through the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.
As always, I thank you for providing the best education possible to our students, and I look forward to continue serving as a resource for you as the school year comes to an end.
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance. Also, please visit my website, http://reyes.house.gov to sign up for my e-mail newsletter, learn about my recent activities, and obtain information on federal programs.
Sincerely,
Silvestre Reyes
Member of Congress
* The rules of the U.S. House of Representatives restrict the distribution of certain mass communication material during the 90 days prior to an election in which a Member is a candidate for public office. The blackout period corresponding to the November general election cycle begins close of business August 4, 2010.
To continue receiving Congressman Reyes’ Education E-newsletter which provides information on federal educational resources, during this 90 day blackout period, please subscribe to this newsletter by clicking here. Only subscribers will be able to receive this e-newsletter during the 90 day period.
ESEA Blueprint
On March 13, the Obama administration released its blueprint for the re-authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also commonly known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). This revision would ask states to adopt college- and career-ready standards and reward schools for producing dramatic gains in student achievement.This blueprint builds on four areas:(1) Improving teacher and principal effectiveness; (2) Providing information to families to help them evaluate and improve their children's schools; (3) Implementing college- and career-ready standards; and (4) Improving student learning and achievement in America's lowest-performing schools by providing intensive support and effective interventions.
Your feedback and comments on issues related to academic standards, teacher effectiveness, meeting the needs of English Learners, and any other areas of importance to you and your schools are welcome. As educational leaders in El Paso, your thoughts and opinions are highly valued and appreciated. To submit feedback please click here.
For more information on the ESEA and for more education resources please visit the following websites:
It is becoming increasingly important for teachers to prepare our students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Increased focus on STEM is necessary to help improve low educational scores in science and math, and to inspire our students to seek employment in these high-demand industries.
Observed during the first week of May of every year, National Lab Day is a new and exciting nationwide hands-on STEM learning initiative. This program strives to build local communities of support that foster ongoing collaborations among educators, science and engineering associations, philanthropies and other organizations. National Lab Day was created to reinvigorate science and math education in the nation’s schools and after-school programs, leading to increased U.S. competitiveness. President Obama applauded the education initiative and others in a speech at the White House, "Lifting American students from the middle to the top of the pack in STEM achievement over the next decade will not be attained by government alone," he said. "I applaud the substantial commitments made today by the leaders of companies, universities, foundations, non-profits, and organizations representing millions of scientists, engineers, and teachers from across the country."
For more information on National Lab Day please click here.
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), is a non-profit organization supporting Hispanic higher education and has several outreach programs and publications that provide the community with direct access to information and tools necessary to navigate the college application and financial aid processes. The HSF also works to support students currently enrolled in college. Since 2002, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund outreach team has delivered privately funded Town Hall Meetings and “Steps for Success” Saturday workshops to students and parents throughout the nation. These programs focus on increasing awareness of financial aid opportunities and the importance of a college education, as well as providing mentorship, support and inspiration for HSF Scholars, Hispanic students, and their families.
For more information about HSF’s Outreach Programs please click here.
HSF strives to help families understand college requirements and work together to achieve graduation. To learn more about the resources available to high school students, families, and college students please click here.
Texas Teacher of the Year
Congratulations are in order for the 2010 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Yushica Walker. Mrs. Walker is a sixth-grade science and technology teacher at Morehead Middle School in the El Paso Independent School District, and recently visited Washington, D.C., where she had the opportunity to meet President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden.
The Texas Teacher of the Year award is the highest honor the State of Texas can bestow upon a teacher. Facilitated by the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Teacher of the Year Program annually recognizes and rewards teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching. Every year, two teachers from each of the 20 Regional Education Service Centers become eligible for two titles: Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year and Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. To achieve this recognition, a teacher must be chosen as both a campus and a district Teacher of the Year, and ultimately as a regional honoree.
Mrs. Walker has been teaching for more than 12 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with Reading Specialization from Prairie View A&M University, and a Master’s degree from the University of Phoenix. She serves as a member of the Campus Improvement Team and as a Master Mentor for new teachers.
To learn more about the Texas Teacher of the Year Program please click here.
Reyes Online Student Center
In addition to these great resources, you can also find more useful educational tools on the student center section of my website by clicking here. There you will find information on:
* How a bill becomes law;
* Congressional internships;
* The Congressional page program;
* Service academy nominations;
* Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Programs;
* High School Art Competition;
* Helpful resources for students; and
* A just for kids section with several content rich-age appropriate web sites with plenty of interactive material.
You can also find a multitude of student and child partner websites with plenty of information on the work of our agencies and the federal government.
