Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor John A. Jackson, a resident of Altadena, who was awarded an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship.
Mr. Jackson is a graduate of California State University, Los Angeles, and earned a Master's degree at the University of Southern California. He was awarded the fellowship based on his extraordinary success in inspiring students through "action'' learning. Mr. Jackson is the Founder and Director of Project EARTH (Environmental Awareness Research Through Hands-on Activities), an award winning earth science and environmental education program for seventh grade students at Monterey Highlands School. Mr. Jackson also instituted a week-long earth science and environmental science field trips to the Salton Sea, Mono Lake, Yosemite National Forest, and Death Valley Park.
Mr. Jackson is serving his fellowship at the National Science Foundation's Division of Graduate Education. He is working in the GK-12 program and is addressing the lack of Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology (SMET) instruction in our schools. The GK-12 goal is to increase classroom teachers' knowledge and understanding of scientific principles, improve communication and teaching-related skills for Fellows, and link through partnerships universities to local school districts. Mr. Jackson is very dedicated to these important goals and has agreed to serve another year in the fellowship program.
John A. Jackson is a true example of the difference one person can make in lives of our young people. His ongoing commitment to life-long education is truly commendable. My district is very blessed to have an educator of his caliber and I am very proud to honor him here today.