March 27, 2006- Congressional Reception to Honor D.C.'s First National Teacher of the Year
Congressional Reception to Honor D.C.’s First National Teacher of the Year
March 27, 2006
Washington, DC—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will be joined by Members of Congress, Superintendent Clifford Janey, D.C. elected officials, educators and residents, as she honors National Teacher of the Year and Sousa Middle School teacher, Jason Kamras, at a reception on Tuesday, March 28, 2006, 5:00-7:00 PM in Room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building (first floor). The reception is cosponsored by The Washington Post and the D.C. Education Compact. On Tuesday, Norton also will introduce a congressional resolution, “Congratulating Jason Kamras for his exceptional dedication to the students of John Philip Sousa Middle School in Washington, D.C., resulting in his selection as National Teacher of the Year, 2005-2006, in recognition of his work.” She said, “Our entire city has great cause for celebration because this is the first time a teacher from the District of Columbia has received this prestigious honor.”
The resolution calls Kamras an “extraordinary and innovative mathematics teacher.” He has been teaching seventh and eighth grade at Sousa for nine years. After graduating from Princeton, Kamras was accepted into the highly competitive Teach for America program, which places recent college graduates in under-resourced urban and rural public schools. He took a year off in 1999 to get his master’s degree from Harvard University, but returned to Sousa. Kamras is credited with restructuring the math curriculum, putting greater emphasis on technology and the individual learning styles of his students. His preparation of students for the Stanford 9 standardized test improved their math scores by forty percent in just one year; and his students have met the District’s math average yearly progress target every year since the No Child Left Behind legislation was implemented. The Norton resolution also commends Sousa Principal William Lipscomb for encouraging creative and innovative teaching methods. “The city is fortunate indeed that a teacher of Mr. Kamras’ talent has shown such dedication to our children,” Norton said.
The National Teacher of the Year is chosen from among thousands of teachers and ultimately from among the State Teachers of the Year by a national selection committee representing the major national educational organizations.
Norton said that the Congress is a particularly appropriate venue to celebrate the national honor Kamras has earned, to thank him for his commitment to the children at Sousa, and to recognize the many efforts of educators underway to improve the District of Columbia Public Schools.
Norton’s full resolution follows.
Congratulating Jason Kamras for his exceptional dedication to the students of John Philip Sousa Middle School in Washington, D.C., resulting in his selection as National Teacher of the Year, 2005-2006, in recognition of his work.
Whereas for nine years, Jason Kamras has shown extraordinary commitment to John Philip SousaMiddle School students by providing high quality education, including many hours beyond formal instructional time;
Whereas Jason Kamras has designed highly effective innovations in teaching, including new approaches to the mathematics curriculum, and has co-founded a digital photography program tocreate biographical photographic essays for which he received the 2001 Mayor’s Art Award for Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education;
Whereas Jason Kamras, by working closely with the students, school leadership, teachers, and parents, has improved Stanford 9 scores at John Philip Sousa by forty percent;
Whereas, on April 20, 2005, Jason Kamras was honored by the President and First Lady at a WhiteHouse ceremony as National Teacher of the Year;
Whereas 2005 is the first year in which a District of Columbia public school teacher has beenhonored as National Teacher of the Year in the 54-year history of the award;
Whereas Jason Kamras is an alumnus of Teach For America, a national corps of outstanding college graduates committed to ensuring that students from underserved communities receive the educationalopportunities they deserve;
Whereas Jason Kamras, as a result of his recognition as Teacher of the Year, has dedicated one yearas a national spokesman for high-quality education: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
Congratulates Jason Kamras, a District of Columbia public school teacher, for his selection asNational Teacher of the Year;
Thanks Jason Kamras for his exceptional dedication and outstanding service to the students of JohnPhilip Sousa Middle School;
Congratulates Principal William Lipscomb of John Philip Sousa Middle School for encouraging creative and innovative teaching methods; and
Expresses its appreciation to the principal and teachers of John Philip Sousa Middle School and to the teachers and principals of the District of Columbia for their commitment and service to theeducation of the city’s children.