[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 69 (Friday, May 24, 2002)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E900] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] VIRGINIA A. SLOAN: TEACHING THE JOY OF READING ______ HON. JAMES A. BARCIA of michigan in the house of representatives Wednesday, May 22, 2002 Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Virginia A. ``Ginny'' Sloan upon the occasion of her retirement after 31 years as an educator, all of them for the Oscoda Area Schools. Ginny deserves high praise for her devotion to teaching and her passion for ensuring every student left her classroom equipped with more than just the basic reading skills necessary for a productive life. Ginny has always recognized the importance of reading as the one educational skill upon which all other learning is based. Throughout her tenure, she continuously sought to improve the methodology and the mechanisms for teaching reading. She was instrumental in establishing and developing the school district's ``Right to Read Program,'' and its ``Secondary In-Service Reading Program.'' Ginny also was a driving force in curriculum development for the district, most notably her work on a committee that reviewed Language Arts texts and materials for elementary grades. Ginny's pioneering efforts and innovations were vital to implementing a suitable curriculum as the backbone of Oscoda's excellent school system. So many of the hours and effort put forth by Ginny took place long after the work day had ended. It is difficult to fully grasp the commitment of time and energy made by dedicated teachers such as Ginny Sloan, but their families understand. Ginny would be the first to acknowledge that the accommodations made by her husband, Jim, and their family, played an important role in her success. Achieving success in the teaching profession often comes without much recognition or reward. In Ginny's case, she has earned an ``Excellence in Education'' certificate from the Oscoda Area Schools Board of Education and was recognized for 8th Grade achievements on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program test. However, those awards serve as only a small measure of her value as a school teacher. The true yardstick of her success is the gift of learning she bestowed upon her students, something that can never be taken away from them. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I wish to pay tribute to Ginny for all that she has done for students, teachers and the entire community. Top-notch educators like Ginny Sloan are all too rare. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ginny Sloan for a job well-done and in wishing her a successful and enjoyable retirement. ____________________