[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF DEBORAH RODRIGUEZ, DE ZAVALA ELEMENTARY 
                       SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 19, 2005

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the enormous 
contributions of Deborah Rodriguez to the students of De Zavala 
Elementary School.
  A long time Texan, Mrs. Rodriguez graduated from San Marcos High 
School and later went on to receive her teaching degree from Texas 
State University. She is certified in Bilingual Education and teaches 
first and second grade bilingual students.
  Mrs. Rodriguez credits her husband for becoming a teacher, as he 
comes from a family of teachers and educators. She also gives credit to 
the many teachers who she had when she was younger and beginning to 
learn English.
  Mrs. Rodriguez began to teach in 1997 when her youngest child began 
kindergarten. She is an avid believer in her students knowing and 
learning to speak more than one language, because she regrets that she 
started school speaking only Spanish. Her mother, who spoke and read to 
her in both languages and gave her a strong foundation in reading and 
writing, is the reason why she loves to do these things today.
  Deborah Rodriguez is one of San Marcos' outstanding educators and I 
am very proud to have had this opportunity to recognize her today.

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