Behind every famous face lies an unsung hero, a teacher who has provided the inspiration and motivation for success in life. The National Education Association has collected the following list of teachers who have inspired celebrities, athletes, and elected officials to become who they are today.
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Ethan Albright, Guard, Washington Redskins
Mr. Joe Franks
Grimsley Senior High School
Greensboro, NC
"Joe's passion and enthusiasm for teaching makes learning in his classroom a joy. It is very unique to be able to connect with high school kids and to teach with such a genuine caring attitude the way Joe is able to do it."
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Mark Bruener, Tight End, Houston Texans
Mr. Randy Hancock
Aberdeen High School
Aberdeen, WA
"Mr. Hancock's dedication to his students was unmatched by any of my teachers. He taught his students how to be young adults. He encouraged us to look further than just the surface with everything we did. I can honestly say he was a big inspiration for me."
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Marc Burch, Forward, Los Angeles Galaxy
Mr. Ken Poe
Turpin High School
Cincinnati, OH
"He taught my whole family and taught in a special way."
Mom
"In ninth grade, my mom was my teacher in English…so in the grander scheme, she is DEFINITELY my favorite!"
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Chris Burke, Second Baseman, Houston Astros
Mr. John Price
St. Xavier High School
Louisville, KY
"The reason I liked Mr. Price so much was because he had a wealth of knowledge about everything. He had stories and little tales that weren't in text books. He wasn't just reading along with us. He added a lot of insight and actually made history fun."
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Zack Crockett, Running Back, Oakland Raiders
Mr. James L. Jones
"Mr. James L. Jones (principal) played the roll of father, teacher, and friend, especially when I had my oldest daughter when I was 16. I could have easily steered off into the wrong direction, but he pushed me to be a great father. He picked my classes so that I got the best education and made sure I kept a certain GPA for my college years. [He] instilled in me the goal of going to college-not only to go but get a degree to better my life …"
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Steve Cronin, Goalkeeper, Los Angeles Galaxy
Mrs. Weldon
Earl LeGette Elementary School
Fair Oaks, CA
"She taught me and cared the most. I still visit her when I am in town."
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Landon Donovan, Forward, Los Angeles Galaxy
Mrs. Godding
Edison Elementary School
Ontario, CA
"She taught me how to grow up using positive methods."
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Brian Dunseth, Defender, Los Angeles Galaxy
Mr. Derrick Kerr
Damien, La Verne, CA
"He was my Spanish teacher and soccer coach."
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Michael Enfield, Forward/Midfield, Los Angeles Galaxy
Dennis Enfield
Ventura High School
Ventura, CA
"He cared for all of his students and spent time outside of school to help students in school and life. He stressed improvement as a grading priority as well as encouraged students to have fun. He was a passionate teacher as well as funny.”
Jay Feely, Kicker, New York Giants
Mr. Robert Weiner
Jesuit High School
Tampa, FL
"Without question the best teacher I ever had was Robert Weiner … He inspired as well as educated, and his life was the greatest educational tool he had. I respected him so much I asked him to be the best man at my wedding!"
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Josh Gardner, Left Midfielder, Los Angeles Galaxy
Mrs. Rayford
Creek High School
Kary, TX
"She pushed me to get better grades and never allowed me to just get by."
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Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, Linebacker, San Diego Chargers
Mr. Guy Reed
Audubon Junior High School
Los Angeles, CA
"Mr. Reed is truly committed to excellence as a math teacher. He is not only a teacher of math but a teacher of life. He helped me understand the meaning of commitment by having perfect attendance for 30 years. He never took a day off. That motivated me on and off the field."
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Chris Gomez, Third Baseman, Baltimore Orioles
Mr. Rob Wigod
"[H]e was a great mentor, not only was he a great teacher but [he also was] a good baseball coach."
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Alan Gordon, Striker, Los Angeles Galaxy
Mrs. Keller
Gilbert High School
Gilbert, AZ
"She was a teacher who really cared about me and wanted me to make something out of myself, when times were bad. If not for her, I would not be here today."
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Kevin Hartman, Goalkeeper, Los Angeles Galaxy
Mr. Mills
Belle Heth Elementary School
Radford, VA
"Mr. Mills was always mixing things up so that everyone was interested. He made learning very exciting."
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Ramon Hernandez, Catcher, Baltimore Orioles
Dad
"My dad…always pushed me hard and wanted me to do the best I could in everything. When everything goes bad, he taught me to keep my head up. He gave me a lot of confidence."
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Larry Izzo, Linebacker, New England Patriots
Ms. Jo Ann Pearson
Broad Run High School
Ashburn, VA
"She was good friends with my varsity football coach, Jerry Smith, and she helped keep me focused on my schoolwork so that I would be able to continue to excel in athletics. Without her constant motivation, I wouldn't have achieved what I have achieved in my life thus far. I am very grateful that I had people like her and Coach Smith looking out for me when I needed some direction in my life.”
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Nick Leckey, Center, Arizona Cardinals
Ms. Bennie Gillam
Timberline Elementary School
Grapevine, TX
"She really cared about us. I still get letters from her to this day. She has even seen me play versus the Cowboys. She would have mystery readers who would come in and read a story to us and hang out for a bit with us and help with our schoolwork. It has inspired me to read to kids on Tuesdays during the season. We always did cool things like International Day where everyone brought food from another country. My mom brought up a crepe maker and we had crepes with powdered sugar and syrup, it was so much fun. She is always happy and upbeat, a person who truly loves her job. She made coming to school fun day in and day out."
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Brad Lidge, Pitcher, Houston Astros
Mr. Coble
Cherry Creek High School
Denver, CO
"He taught World History and World Geography and he was extremely smart and very animated. He loved what he was doing and he has made me like it ever since."
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Rodrigo Lopez, Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles
Ms. Elisa
"[S]he really was passionate about teaching, she could handle all subjects and I learned a lot from her."
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Darnerien McCants, Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
Mr. Donald Becker
Delaware State University
Dover, DE
"He set me free as an artist."
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Melvin Mora, Third Baseman, Baltimore Orioles
Mr. Walter Rodriguez
"[He] was the one who made me play baseball."
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Roy Oswalt, Pitcher, Houston Astros
Coach Gant (health teacher, football/baseball coach)
Weir High School
Weir, MS
"My favorite teacher was my Health teacher, Coach Gant. He was also my football coach and baseball coach. As a teacher and coach, he got the most out of me and really got me to push myself.
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Chad Qualls, Pitcher, Houston Astros
Mr. Stockstill
Eschelman Avenue School
Lomita, CA
"Mr. Stockstill was my first grade teacher and he taught me all of the subjects. I am a big math guy and I have to thank him for that. I remember the different card games he would play with us to help us learn addition. I had a lot of fun in his class."
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Shelton Quarles, Linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ms. Joan Woods
Whites Creek High School
Whites Creek, TN
"She took a vested interest in me as a person and not an athlete. She inspired me to be the best that I could be in the classroom and that would translate to me being a better player on the football field. Ultimately, her instruction allowed me to take tougher honors classes in high school, which in turn prepared me to be a good student at Vanderbilt University, one of the most prestigious universities in the country."
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Troy Roberts, Defender, Los Angeles Galaxy
Mr. Mcloed
Mattos Elementary School
Fremont, CA
"He was a great motivator and always willing to help students achieve their goals."
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Brian Schneider, Catcher, Washington Nationals
Mr. Joe Schwartz
Northampton Junior High School
Northampton, PA
"Mr. Schwartz was one of my favorite teachers because he treated everyone with respect and was not just your teacher but also was a friend. He gave the extra effort to help you at all costs."
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Miguel Tejada, Shortstop, Baltimore Orioles
Mr. Enrique Soto
"[He] helped me to get to the big leagues."
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Jamie Watson, Forward, Real Salt Lake
Mr. Kelly Hayes
Coppell High School
Coppell, TX
“Everyday, he met the class with a smile and brought an attitude that was contagious to having fun, and learning at the same time. This was always one of the classes i looked forward to going to daily. I still keep in touch with him and when my brother recently was in the hospital suffering from an illness, he was right there by his side, just to be there for him. Brett had also been in Mr. Hayes' class and this just shows what kind of person he is as well as being a great mentor for every kid he teaches. This man has touched my life and helped show me some of the characteristics that a man should strive to be."
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Preston Wilson, Left Field/Center Field, Houston Astros
Ms. Duffoer
Bamberg-Erhardt High School
Bamberg, SC
"Ms. Duffoer taught me English my senior year. She was patient with everybody. I don't know how it happened but I was her teacher's pet. She was one of the teachers throughout the school that everyone said was really tough, but I got along great with her and I did really well in her class."
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Rep. Gary L. Ackerman (D-NY)
Eva Ackerman (mother)
"[S]he taught me everything I know."
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Rep. Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ)
Ms. Jean C. Parks
Bellmawr Public Schools
Bellmawr, NJ
"Mrs. Parks, my kindergarten teacher, combined the qualities of great storyteller, life-lessons teacher, and loving mother. I still keep in touch with her and cherish her friendship and love."
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Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA)
Miss Osbourne
Bartow High School
Barstow, CA
"Miss Osborne always motivated me to set high goals for myself and was an encouraging teacher. Those kinds of teachers really don't come along that often. But she helped to build my confidence, set me in the right direction, and gave me the 'si se puede' attitude that I could do anything I set my mind to."
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Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Mr. Robert Prugh
West High School
Madison, WI
"Mr. Prugh made the 1980 Presidential elections (the first Presidential election in which I could vote) come alive in the classroom. I already had the political bug, before taking his class, but he certainly nurtured my interest in policy and the political process."
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Sen. Evan B. Bayh (D-IN)
Mr. Ferdinand Ruge
St. Albans School
Washington, D.C.
"Mr. Ruge was an inspirational teacher who instilled in me a love for a vanishing art form: written English. He emphasized clear, concise prose-not common among practitioners of my current profession.
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Rep. Bob Beauprez (R-CO)
Mr. Frank Gray
Douglass Junior High School
East of Boulder, CO
"He emphasized skill and fitness development, but he also taught us about dignity, character, integrity, and grace."
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Sen. Robert F. Bennett (R-UT)
Mr. G. Homer Durham
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
"He had a radical notion about education. He said 'the most important course in the political science department is Political Science 1. Since I am the department head, it follows that I should teach the department's most important course.' … [He] taught me about the Constitution and James Madison and Thomas Jefferson and the constitutional convention. Through his instruction, I read the Federalist Papers and began a lifelong love affair with political theory and the Constitution. I've always appreciated the insights I gained under the tutelage of G. Homer Durham. Even today, 50 years later, as I continue my work in the U.S. Senate, and strive to meet the responsibilities of my office, I find that I frequently harken back to the days at the University of Utah and Dr. Durham's Political Science 1 class, and how applicable and valuable those lessons still are today. He certainly made a difference in my life."
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Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV)
Mr. Gary Bedunna
Mr. Herb Baker
Mr. Charlie Silvertery
Valley High School
Las Vegas, NV
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Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA)
Mr. Lester Rutland
Central High School
Mobile, AL
"Mr. Rutland encouraged and inspired [me] to become involved in student government and eventually run for school, district, and state Student Council President positions."
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Rep. Timothy H. Bishop (D-NY)
Mr. Clyde Thompson
Southampton High School
"Mr. Thompson instilled in me a fascination with government and public service, as well as an appreciation for history. He also taught me how to write."
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Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-NH)
Ms. Dorothy Schneider
Carpenter School
Wolfeboro, NH
"Mrs. Schneider was compassionate but tough-she helped to show me the difference between doing adequate work and doing excellent work. She pushed me to excel at each and every challenge."
Mr. Ernest Bainton
Kingswood Regional High School
Wolfeboro, NH
"Mr. Bainton helped to show me the excitement of reading for pleasure and taught me the importance of each spoken and written word."
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Rep. Leonard L. Boswell (D-IA)
Rose Varner
Thompson School
Ringold County, IA
"Mrs. Varner taught me that reading books would open the world to me and encouraged me to always do better. Her inspiration has been a guiding light throughout my life."
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Rep. F. Allen Boyd, Jr. (D-FL)
Ms. Blanche Clarke
Aucilla Christian Academy
Monticello, FL
"Ms. Clarke was the first teacher I had outside of my parents. At the time, there was no kindergarten or pre-school, so she had the awesome task of teaching my class of first and second graders what it meant to be in a classroom-how to sit still, listen, and learn. Ms. Blanche took our young wonder in the world and showed us how to concentrate it into a structured educational goal."
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Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL)
Mrs. Stapleton
P.S. 10
Albany, NY
"Her lesson was that just because you were poor didn't mean that you couldn't learn."
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Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN)
Ms. Florence Geisler
Public School 73
Indianapolis, IN
"She was the most dedicated teacher I ever had. She was tough but fair and always went the extra mile for her kids and students."
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Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)
Mrs. W. J. B. Cormany
Mark Twain High School
Raleigh County, WV
"She taught me to put my best efforts into everything I undertake, a lesson so important that it has remained with me to this day."
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Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA)
Mr. Arthur “Art” Van Matre
"He left quite an impression on [me] and really taught [me] a lot about character."
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Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA)
Miss Lacey
Sackajewa Elementary School
Richland, WA
"[Miss Lacey] inspired a love of writing."
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Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO)
Ms. Beverly Buchheit
Shepard Elementary School
St. Louis, MO
"As an active leader in local St. Louis politics, Beverly inspired, encouraged, and supported my public service."
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Rep. Michael Castle (R-DE)
Mrs. Buckles
Tower Hill Private School
Wilmington, DE
"Mrs. Buckles taught me grammar."
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Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH)
Ms. Parma (Fiero) Samad
St. Catherine of Siena School
Cincinnati, OH
"Ms. Fiero emphasized learning about other countries. I remember one assignment, which I especially enjoyed, required us to conduct research into other countries and cultures. Ms. Fiero asked us to put together a booklet that contained information about countries from around the world. I was fascinated by what I learned and this really sparked my interest in world affairs. I now serve on the House International Relations Committee, and I root my interest in world affairs in Ms. Fiero's lessons."
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Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-MI)
Dr. Tommie Johnson
High School of Commerce
"Dr. Tommie Johnson of the High School of Commerce made learning fun and reinforced my belief that I had the potential to accomplish anything. Helping young people understand the power of their dreams is a wonderful motivator and something that I worked to instill in my students when I was a teacher and continue to share with my children, grandchildren, and America's youth."
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Del. Donna M. Christensen (D-VI)
Ms. Mercedes Jackson
St. Mary's Catholic School
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
"In addition to being no-nonsense, she was encouraging and understanding of the ways of a second grader, as the only African American and local teacher … Ms. Jackson became a role model for [me]."
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Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS)
Ms. Emma Grace Cochran
Byram High School
Jackson, MS
"Her enthusiasm for learning was contagious. She had a great sense of humor and made being in her classroom fun, and at the same time inspired all her students to work hard and do their very best."
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Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND)
Miss Barbie
Roosevelt High School
Bismarck, ND
“She was warm, engaging, and made me think.”
Leland Skabo
Roosevelt High School
Bismarck, ND
"He also made me stretch my thinking. Each of these teachers commanded respect, and any one of them could have been a United States Senator. I am grateful for the impact they have had on my life."
The Senator was raised by his grandmother, who was a teacher and always emphasized the importance of education in the household.
- Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN)
Ms. Coy Summerford
Madison Street Elementary
Shelbyville, TN
"The only paddling I ever got in school was from her, and I deserved it. She was strict, but she was brilliant. I was in her class when John F. Kennedy was shot.
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Rep. John Culberson (R-TX)
Ms. Sylvia Norton
West University Elementary
Houston, TX
"[She] encouraged my lifelong love of learning and helped me learn to respect and get along with others."
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Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD)
Mr. Hollis Posey
Baltimore, MD
"Mr. Posey was the person who convinced me that I could achieve anything if I worked hard and simply believed."
Prior to having Mr. Posey, Rep. Cummings was placed in special education because he was told that he “talked too much.” Mr. Posey's encouragement helped Rep. Cummings leave special education and enter into Baltimore's prestigious Baltimore City College High School, from where his colleagues Reps. Ruppersberger and Cardin also graduated, go to Howard University, and then on to law school.
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Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-IL)
Ms. Beaddie King
No school name
Parkdale, AR
"Ms. Beaddie was an inspiration and such a wonderful teacher. [S]he was my kindergarten teacher and then later on she was my English and literature teacher when I graduated from high school."
Congressman Davis grew up in rural Arkansas where school was in session only five months a year. He attended a one-room school.
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Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT)
Sister Margaret Ellen
Marymount College
Arlington, VA
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Rep. Charles W. Dent (R-PA)
Mr. Robert Fisher
Allen High School
"He taught courses in the Cold War and helped stimulate [my] interest in foreign policy. He actively promoted critical thinking among his students."
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Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH)
Mr. Ed Wingard
Yellow Springs High School
Yellow Springs, OH
Mr. John Malone
Yellow Springs High School
Yellow Springs, OH
Ms. Jean Kappell
Yellow Springs High School
Yellow Springs, OH
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Rep. Norman D. Dicks (D-WA)
Ms. Charlotte Dunn
Naval Avenue Elementary School
Bremerton, WA
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Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT)
Ms. Peterson
East School
West Hartford, CT
"Mrs. Peterson was a tremendously positive teacher. In first grade, she pinned a note for my mom on the back of my jacket that read: 'Let the proudest boy in West Hartford read his first book to you!' Mrs. Peterson's enthusiasm was contagious and gave me confidence to try new things and succeed."
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Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (R-ND)
Ms. Deloras Tollefson
English teacher, still correcting his work!
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Former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC)
Ms. Betty Stanley
Thompson Elementary
Thompson, GA
"She always took the time to let each student know that there was a whole world out there to learn."
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Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers (R-MI)
Mrs. Rozeboorn
Home schooled
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Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY)
Mr. Charles W. Popovich
Sheridan High School
Sheridan, WY
"He explained that geometry would probably be the only logic class we would take. He showed us the importance of being able to prove even obvious things. He showed an enthusiasm that was catching and an ability to know when every student in the class had caught onto each concept and could build on it. He still occasionally sends me a challenging question.”
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Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC)
Ms. Flossie Barber
Cleveland School
Johnston County, NC
"She was stern and tough, but she challenged me and wouldn't settle for anything but my best. She cared about each and every student."
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Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA)
Ms. Enid Larson
Carmel High School
Carmel, CA
"She never used books, but rather she taught students to find their own answers to questions…In this way she was developing potential and encouraging students to understand their own capacities and how to do good with those."
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Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Ms. Virginia Ryder
Grant School
San Francisco, CA
"She took me under her wing, giving me individual attention, and enabled me to go to a good high school. On this National Teacher Day, I thank Ms. Ryder for her extraordinary service and thank all of the wonderful teachers across the country who work tirelessly to ensure that our children reach their highest potential."
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Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-VA)
The Honorable Harry B. Blevins (current member of Virginia Senate)
Great Bridge High School
Chesapeake, VA
"He raised the funds to send me to the first Presidential Classroom for Young Americans, saying if they can train one student in government, he would then come back and make a difference in the community and help train others."
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Res. Com. Luis Fortuño (R-Puerto Rico)
Brother Francisco Guezmes
Colegio Marista
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
"He was special because he instilled in me a desire to speak and write correctly, and [he] was an example of how hard work pays off."
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Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC)
Mr. Jack Norton
Crossnore High School
Crossnore, NC
"I grew up exceptionally poor and worked as my high school's janitor while I was a student in order to help my family. Mr. Norton recognized my talents and inspired me to be the first person in my family to graduate high school and go to college."
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Rep. Jim Gibbons (R-NV)
Ms. Martha Gould
Sparks High School
"Martha Gould (librarian) was “a major influence."
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Rep. Paul Gillmor (R-OH)
Ms. Mosier and Ms. Newman
Old Fort Schools
Old Fort, OH
"I attended Old Fort Schools in Old Fort, Ohio. Two teachers who stand out to me as particularly important to my education are Mrs. Mosier, my first grade teacher; and Mrs. Newman, my Junior High Algebra teacher. However, I hesitate to identify any one teacher because I was blessed with so many good educators. The dedication of my teachers in Old Fort made each and every one of them special."
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Rep. Virgil H. Goode (R-VA)
Ms. Odell Parcell and Ms. Dorothy Smith
Sontag Elementary School
Franklin County, VA
"She was especially kind to every student and helped us get started in public education. Ms. Smith loved every student and was an expert at the fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic."
Congressman Goode attended a four-room framed school that housed grades one through seven.
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Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Dr. Irma Plaehn
The University of Northern Iowa
"Dr. Plaehn was a special teacher because she took such a personal interest in the welfare of her students beyond the classroom."
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Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ)
Mrs. Pare
Sunnyside High School
Tucson, AZ
"How can you pick one favorite teacher when there are so many teachers who have had an impact on your life?"
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Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R-MN)
Mr. Leo Walton
Cedar Falls High School
Cedar Falls, IA
"He lived the expression, 'when I hear, I forget. When I see, I remember. When I do, I understand.' He encouraged us to participate, not only in class discussions, but also in activities in the community."
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Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE)
Ms. Mildred Herrod
St. Bonaventure High School
Columbus, NE
"She inspired me, she challenged me, she communicated with me, and she taught me. The essential ingredients for a memorable teacher."
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Rep. Ralph Hall (D-TX)
Ms. Willie D. Yarborough
"She was the first teacher who made me believe I could be a success."
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Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL)
Mr. H.L. Douglas
Crooms Academy High School
Sanford, FL
"H.L. Douglas, a gentleman and a scholar. He coached basketball, football, baseball, and taught chemistry. [He was a] no-nonsense disciplinarian who exuded love."
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Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT)
Ms. Eleanor Smith
Baldwin High School
Pittsburgh, PA
"She inspired me to go on to college at a time when the most that could be expected of me was to continue to work at the trade that I had learned. She told me that one day I would be a great poet."
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Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD At Large)
Mr. John Westby
Groton High School
Groton, SD
"Mr. Westby had a profound impact on my high school years as he cultivated my interest in government and politics. He was diplomatic, yet firm in articulating his expectations of high performance, and this kind of steady encouragement taught me the value of setting high standards for academics and for life in general. He was particularly persistent and persuasive in recruiting me to join the debate team. While I was originally hesitant, he challenged me to join and I have never regretted it."
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Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY)
Ms. Lynette Flewelling
Saugerties High School
Saugerties, NY
"She introduced me to magnificent novels and fostered my love of literature."
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Rep. Rush D. Holt (D-NJ)
Mrs. Brown
Lewisburg Elementary School
Lewisburg, WV
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Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA)
Mr. Williams
San Jose High School
San Jose, CA
"Mr. Williams was always prepared, wasted no time (he respected our time in class), always had eye contact with a genuine smile with the students, and knew our names. We were not all 'A' students but no one avoided classes because they didn't know something. He stayed after class to re-teach something he thought we didn't understand. I once saw him delivering papers to augment his income and he never missed a beat."
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Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mr. Wendall McCain
Ingraham High School
Seattle, WA
"Mr. McCain not only taught me the immortal precept: 'Do like you oughter, add the acid to the water;' he also awakened in me the recognition that chemistry is fundamental to our knowledge of the environment. When I'm working to reduce the acidification of the oceans by cutting carbon-dioxide emissions, it is due in part to the teachings of Wendall McCain."
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Rep. Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D-IL)
Mr. George Constanople
Mr. Brown
St. Albans Episcopal
Washington, D.C.
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Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
Mr. Cleo Jones
A.J. Moore High School
Waco, TX
"Mr. Jones challenged each and every one of his students to be the best they could be and cared for them as if they were his own."
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Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD)
Ms. Donna (Cook) Gross
Vermillion High School
Vermillion, SD
"[She] inspired me to acquire an interest in literature and in writing. She also pointed out that I could be both a football player and a good student."
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Rep. Sue Kelly (R-NY)
Ms. Laura Jamison
Lima Central High School
Lima, OH
"She spent an extraordinary amount of time working with each of us individually. She listened closely while encouraging us to share our thoughts and ideas, and she taught us how to be self-evaluative as we expressed them. As a result of her teaching, several of the members of that class have become published authors."
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Sen. John Kerry (D-MA)
Reverend John Walker
"I will never forget the Reverend John Walker. He was the first African-American teacher at our school, and he got us interested in the growing civil rights movement and, frankly, taught us all a lot about life."
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Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA)
Mr. John Townsend
Clark Junior High School
Athens, GA
"Through Mr. Townsend, [I] learned that civics and politics was 'cool.'"
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Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL)
Mr. Robert Karp
Joseph Sears School
Kenilworth, IL
"Mr. Karp invented 'Geography Baseball' and turned it into a rite of passage in our town. We memorized the locations of Georgia (then in the Soviet Union), Goa (in India) and the Gobi desert (in China). It sparked an interest to see each of these places and to understand America's role in the world. I have seen each one and am now working to expand language and exchange opportunities for all American students. Mr. Karp has passed away, but I carried his legacy as a nursery school assistant, middle school teacher, and now as a congressman."
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Rep. John R. “Randy” Kuhl, Jr. (R-NY)
Mr. Harold Block
Hammondsport Central School
Hammondsport, NY
"Coach Block was a motivator-he knew what motivated each individual person and knew how to treat them based on what their specific needs were. Coach Block inspired me not only to participate in high school athletics but [also] to excel in academics at the same time, allowing me to reach my full potential in both areas. This is a critical message to all students today, no matter where they are or want to be in life."
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Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH)
St. John Cantinus
Cleveland, OH
He “liked them all!"
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Rep. James R. Langevin (D-RI)
Mr. John Jackson
Bishop Hendricken High School
Warwick, RI
"Mr. Jackson had a way of engaging his social studies class in current events, one that inspired me to become more involved in government and never stop looking for ways to make the world better."
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Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA)
Mr. T.T. Kies
CAL Community High School
Latimer, IA
"Mr. Kies was an outstanding educator who was a friend and counselor to everyone in the community. He taught mathematics in a method that made it relevant to our everyday lives, allowing students to easily grasp the real life need for studying the subject."
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Rep. James A. Leach (R-IA)
Coach Fox
Davenport Central High School
Davenport, IA
"In the Davenport Public Schools System, no one was more revered than my football and wrestling coach, Jim Fox. A member of Iowa's coaching Hall of Fame in two sports, Jim imbued the work ethic in thousands of young athletes. …. Jim also coached the first African-American to win an NCAA wrestling championship. Jim is currently living in a nursing home where his main comfort are memories fast fading with Alzheimer's But those who were coached by him will never forget his commitment to discipline and fair play. Jim didn't believe in short cuts or fancy strategies. He taught people to work hard, to play together, to live by the rules, and respect opponents. His lessons weren't complicated. But they couldn't be deeper."
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Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT)
Ms. Margaret Poole
Belltown School
Stamford, CT
"I had some great teachers, but I will give the prize to Margaret Poole, my fourth and sixth grade teacher, a strong, optimistic woman who taught me the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic and also encouraged me to be a leader, in an elementary school kind of way."
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Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo (R-NJ)
Father Murray
Georgetown Preparatory School
North Bethesda, MD
“Father Murray motivated the students.”
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Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
Mr. John C. Attig
Gunn High School
Palo Alto, CA
"John Attig taught government and politics right off the pages of the newspaper. He made politics and government exciting, vital, and compelling. His passion made his students passionate. He was both entertaining and instructive-an inspired and inspiring teacher.">
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Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL)
Ms. Evelyn Miller
Morris Kennedy Elementary School
Rockford, IL
"Evelyn Miller, my first grade teacher, changed my life: she taught me to read, she was present when I announced my candidacy for Congress, and she attended my victory party!"
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Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-TX)
Ms. Georgia Ogle
R.L. Turner High School
Carrollton, TX
"When I first ran for city council in Carrollton, she returned my campaign brochure. It was corrected with a red pen for grammatical errors."
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Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)
Ms. Mildred Bates
Downers Grove North High School
Downers Grove, IL
"Teachers in high school, both negative and positive, had the greatest influence on me … [She] said I'd never graduate from college. Mrs. Mildred Bates, while negative, made me believe in myself."
Edward Maas
Downers Grove North High School
Downers Grove, IL
"Mr. Edward Maas, another teacher, pushed me hard. Mr. Maas challenged me to be better than I was. He believed in me."
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Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA)
Ms. Donahue
Worcester Academy
Worcester, MA
"Regardless of a child's achievement, [she] was accepting and encouraging."
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Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-NC)
Ms. Marion Thompson
Lumberton High School
Lumberton, NC
"Marion Thompson is a true professional whose love of teaching is evident in the enthusiasm, eagerness, and effectiveness she demonstrates with every class and each individual student. Both my wife and I treasure the positive and powerful learning experience we had under her tutelage. She could have been successful at any number of professions, but Marion choose teaching and elevated it to its highest level."
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Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL)
Dr. Sharon Wooten
Florida A&M University
Tallahassee, FL
"Dr. Sharon Wooten served as a college tutor and mentor and helped me deal with my dyslexia. Without her guidance, understanding, and patience, I would not have been able to graduate college on time. She continues to be a strong voice for those with learning disabilities, helping hundreds of other students deal with the challenges they face in college."
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Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY)
Ms. Elizabeth Anderson
Julia Richmond High School
Manhattan, NY
"Ms. Anderson went above and beyond what was required of her as a teacher and inspired young people like myself to live up to their potential. Countless times, she showed how invested she was in our achievement, like the time she rallied around me when I ran for student leadership, it sparked my interest in public service."
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Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Ms. Gail Harper
Union Hill High School
Union City, NJ
"She helped me overcome and master my fear of speaking in public, which obviously changed my life."
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Rep. Michael H. Michaud (D-ME)
Mr. Andy Hopkins
Schenk High School
East Millinocket, ME
"Encouraged civic involvement, even if he was Republican!"
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Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS)
Ms. Doris Everest
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
Wichita, KS
"Mrs. Everest had the perfect balance of kindness and determination-challenging her students to be the absolute best they could be and always supporting them when they needed extra help."
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Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
Ms. Cole
Nitro High School
Nitro, WV
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Rep. Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Ms. Mabel Pruter
Plainville Grade School
Plainville, KS
"Mrs. Pruter cared about each of her students, loved each one of them, but had high expectations of all students. She made it clear that I had the ability to do well if I applied myself and that it was OK to be smart."
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Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Ms. Hattie Buness
Evergreen Elementary School
Wrangell, AL
"Mrs. Buness opened the world for me when she taught me to read, to explore, and to question.
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Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
High School Band Teacher
"He taught us about the importance of working as a team, practicing and working hard."
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Rep. Martin Olav Sabo (D-MN)
Mr. Dave Baglien
Alkabo School
Alkabo, ND
"He really tried to make kids think and taught us to ask a lot of questions."
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Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ)
Sister Emila Joseph
St. John the Baptist
Patterson, NJ
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Rep. Ed Pastor (D-AZ)
Mr. Henry Reyna
Miami High School
Miami, AZ
"Mr. Reyna was the only Mexican-American teacher at the high school and [he] inspired me to overcome any barriers in order to achieve my goals."
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Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN)
Ms. Esther Fisher
St. Columba Catholic School
Columbus, IN
"She was my second grade and fifth grade teacher. She changed my life because she believed in me."
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Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND)
Mr. Joseph Westby
Valley City Senior High School
Valley City, ND
"Mr. Westby knew his chemistry and cared about his students. Long before he devoted his career to advancing education through leadership with the state's education association, he devoted himself to teaching science, including to challenging students like myself. I've known Mr. Westby for 35 years, and after all this time I know he still can teach me a thing or two and will the next time we sit down to talk education policy."
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Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI)
Brother Amian Paul
LaSalle Academy
Providence, RI
"He had an intimidating manner. He shook me into realizing I had academic potential. He did that literally by shaking me."
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Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH)
Ms. Grace Riffer
Beach City High School
Beach City, OH
"She is still alive, and [I] still correspond with her."
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Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)
Mrs. Pickard
Searchlight Elementary School
Searchlight, NV
"She taught me how to read and helped me develop a love of learning. I read a lot to this day, and that's partly because of her."
Ms. Marlon Walker
Mr. Mike O'Callaghan
Basic High School
Henderson, NV
"[Marlon Walker and Mike O'Callaghan] were both disciplinarians and were both strong moral examples for their students. They helped me develop my character and my conscience, along with teaching me their subjects."
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Rep. Silvestre "Silver" Reyes (D-TX)
Mr. Ralph Chavez
Canutillo High School
Canutillo, TX
"He was a no-nonsense teacher and coach that insisted on hard work and maximum effort in every endeavor. He really focused on each of us, being a mentor, a teacher, a counselor, and a friend. He took great pride in our accomplishments, especially because he worked with very limited resources. I learned that life wasn't always fair, but that it was never an excuse to accept less than a maximum effort. Like most teachers, I now realize, he often dug into his own pocket to make sure we had what supplies we needed."
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Rep. Harold 'Hal' Rogers (R-KY)
Mr. Herbert Bell
Ramsey School
"Mr. Bell opened my eyes to a world much, much larger than the small rural valley where I grew up."
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Rep. C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger (D-MD)
Joe Brune
Baltimore City College and Loyola High School
Baltimore, MD
"Joe Brune was not only a great football coach, but a great role model. Teachers make a hugh difference in teaching kids the fundamentals of teamwork and determination. Joe Brune's tough commitment to our team made us build character, sportsmanship, and tenacity. These values have served me well throughout my career."
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Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI)
Mr. Frank Douglas
Craig High School
Janesville, WI
"Frank Douglas… taught me more about the world in six months than I had learned in 18 years."
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Rep. Timothy Ryan (D-OH)
Mr. John Gillen
John F. Kennedy High School
Warren, OH
"Mr. Gillen taught his students that each of us had the ability to tap into untouched levels of human potential, and we had a responsibility to our community and nation to stretch to those heights."
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Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)
Mr. Rick Waggoner
Butler Catholic Grade School
Butler, PA
"He pushed me to do better academically and encouraged me to join the basketball team. He did what all great teachers do-he challenged me to get involved, both inside and out of the classroom."
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Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ)
Mr. Ed Romanowski
Lackawanna Trail High School
Factoryville, PA
"He taught me many lessons about life, what it meant to work hard, to be determined, to never give up, and to be successful. Together with many of my friends and classmates, we gained much from his professional efforts and friendship."
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Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-CA)
Mrs. Barbara Abbott
Monte Vista High School
Danville, CA
"Mrs. Abbott was my Shakespeare teacher, and during the summer she would take a group of us to the Shakespeare festival in Oregon where we would camp out and watch a different play each day. (Sometimes more than one each day!) She was a marvelous teacher, with infectious enthusiasm, and showed us the beauty of the English language. I still remember her warm smile, her laugh, her dedication to her students, and a passion for Shakespeare that she passed on to her students-a passion I still share."
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Rep. José E. Serrano (D-NY)
Ms. Selma Altsman-Binder
Grace Dodge Career and Technical High School
The Bronx, NY
"This teacher brought me out of my shell and demanded the best of me in a loving, supportive way."
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Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr. (R-FL)
Ms. Mary Poyer
"She sincerely cared about her students."
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Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL)
Mr. Joe Spurgeon
Collinsville High School
Collinsville, IL
"Mr. Spurgeon strove for excellence in the classroom, gym, and the athletic field as a coach; he was unrelenting in the pursuit of excellence. Those who were fortunate to have him learned teamwork, self-sacrifice, and a strong work ethic."
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Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID)
Mr. Dwight Baker
Blackfoot High School
Blackfoot, ID
"Mr. Baker made a difficult subject interesting and easy to grasp. Throughout college and dental school, I often reflected on the lessons he taught me."
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Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA)
Mr. Sterling Smith
Chinook Middle School and Tyee High School
SeaTac, WA
"He showed a passion for learning and the English language that was truly inspiring for all those of us lucky enough to have him for a teacher."
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Rep. Ted Strickland (D-OH)
Ms. Mabel Keller
Duck Run School
Lucasville, OH
Roseanne Joyce
Northwest High School
Lucasville, OH
"They saw potential in me that I didn't perceive, and they encouraged me to do things that I probably wouldn't have done without their support."
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Rep. John Tanner (D-TN)
Coach Guy Edward Phipps
Union City High School
Union City, TN
"A talented educator, coach, and, later, principal, Coach Phipps was known among his colleagues and students for choosing one special student each week to befriend."
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Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE)
Mr. Steve Sergeant
Northwest High School
Omaha, NE
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Sen. John Thune (R-SD)
Ms. Margie Peters
Jones County High School
Murdo, SD
"She demanded excellence and helped [me] improve [my] writing skills. She was tough, but fair, and cared deeply about making her students better."
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Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS)
Mr. Jim Prosser
Vermillion High School
Vermillion, SD
"My first quarter in geometry, I had a near failing grade. By the last quarter (sophomore year) I had an 'A' because Mr. Prosser took the time to explain geometry to a thick headed farm boy. He taught me for two more years, and in my senior year I was a regional winner in a national math contest. Not bad for a kid who nearly flunked out of sophomore geometry."
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Rep. John F. Tierney (D-MA)
Ms. Ann DiCarlo
Pickering School
Salem, MA
"She set demanding goals and insisted on discipline while managing to exhibit respect and concern for her students at the same time, and her ability to motivate and to encourage students to excel without exposing them to peer pressure as 'teacher's pet' were skills she exercised deftly, especially when she taught me how to embrace the role of public speaker."
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Rep. Tim Holden (D-PA)
Mr. Rick Tomko
St. Clair High School
St. Clair, PA
"Rick Tomko has an amazing grasp of history. His great story telling ability made learning fun and maintained students' interest on issues of politics and democracy.
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Rep. Edolphus "Ed" Towns (D-NY)
Ms. McNeil
Westside Elementary School
Chadborn, NC
"Ms. McNeil had a natural way of explaining complicated subject matter."
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Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI)
Mr. Mike Denekas
St. Joseph Public School
Michigan
"Mr. Denekas truly made government come alive. When I became a member of Congress, much later on, I was able to speak to his class until he retired."
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Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
Ms. Fran Botton
Magnolia Open School
Long Beach, NY
"I knew she cared about me, wanted me to succeed, pushed me to work hard and do my best, and accepted nothing less than what she knew was possible from her students. When we finished fifth grade and faced the inevitable sadness about leaving a favorite teacher, she announced she was moving up with us to sixth grade and keeping us all together. The two years of continuity helped prepare me for success in secondary school and gave me the emotional support that every child needs as they move into their teen years."
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Rep. Anthony D. Weiner (D-NY)
Miss Noonan
P.S. 39
Brooklyn, NY
"In addition to teaching the basics of reading and writing, Miss Noonan taught the whole class to celebrate and respect the diversity of our Brooklyn neighborhood."
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Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA)
Miss Sondergaard
Alexander Hamilton Junior High School
Seattle, WA
"Miss Sondergaard was my P.E. teacher who selected me, when I was in the ninth grade, to be the leader of the Girls Afterschool P.E. program. She was one of the first adults in my youth to acknowledge my leadership capabilities."
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Rep. Don Young (R-AK At Large)
Mrs. McCall
Salem, CA
"She flunked me -- and rightly so!"
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