Congratulations to the Colorado Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to the Colorado Teacher of the Year

HON. JARED POLIS

OF COLORADO IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, November 4, 2011 Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Kristin Donley, an outstanding educator at Monarch High School. She has pioneered innovative learning for the past 10 years teaching physical science, chemistry and biology. Ms. Donley is an inspiration and an exemplary educator, and I am honored to commend her for being named the 2012 Colorado Teacher of the Year. Her multifaceted approach to teaching goes beyond the textbooks and the standardized tests to instill curiosity and inspiration in her students; it provides the building blocks for a well-rounded understanding of the sciences. She has provided many opportunities for her students outside the classroom that truly prepare them with the skills and knowledge necessary to compete and succeed. Her partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder allowed her students to spend a week at the CU Mountain Research Station in Nederland, Colorado, where they had the opportunity to do hands-on learning of cutting-edge research that directly led to their own research and the chance to compete competitively in the regional science fair. She has expanded the number of opportunities for her students to become passionate learners by establishing and coordinating a district science research seminar to have a peer science mentorship program for elementary and middle school students. She works with her students to create interest in learning science and to provide them with the tools for success. Her faith in the public school system and her advocacy for innovative, cutting-edge learning is especially important now, at a time when improving our schools and expanding access to innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics instruction is critical. Ms. Donley was born in Boulder and received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in molecular, cellular and developmental biology at the University of Colorado. She is truly a dedicated community member and educator, and I am honored to recognize her as the 2012 Colorado Teacher of the Year.

____________________