Recognizing An Outstanding Educator and the Historical Career of Veraniece Williams

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable and resilient individual, Veraniece ``Nanny Vera'' Williams, for recently completing 50 years as an educator in Congressional District in Louisiana.

Ms. Williams graduated from Southern High School (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) in 1967. She attended Southern University and Agriculture & Mechanical College, graduating with a degree in Business Education in 1971. She also earned an English Minor from Nicholls State University-- 1973--Thibodaux, LA. She later earned a Master in English Ed., Administration and Supervision from Southern University--in 1981; Nicholls State University--1982 Plus 30 Guidance Counseling-Thibodaux, LA; National Beauty School--1983 Cosmetology-New Orleans, LA, and was an Insurance Agent.

Ms. Williams's first teaching job was at Montague Elementary School, where she taught English and Social Studies to 4th-grade students. She later moved to Henry Louis Bourgeois High School (HLB), where she taught Business and English. At HLB, Ms. Williams sponsored the Key Club of America, educating young students on the importance of school and social organizations.

After 22 years at HLB, Ms. Veraniece moved to John McDonogh High in New Orleans, teaching Business and Marketing Education with an emphasis on Entrepreneurship Studies. In collaboration with Tulane University, Ms. Williams taught entrepreneurship to high school students in a real- life setting. During this time, Ms. Veraniece Williams went on to be recognized as an Outstanding Entrepreneur Teacher of the Year at Tulane University.

Her dedication to educating young students included consistently managing and seeking the challenge of teaching and inspiring lower- track high school students to succeed in strengthening business skills and writing abilities, including building life skills and motivating students to consider job career goals and higher education. She effectively used town meetings, group learning, role switching, college mentoring programs, field trips, and classroom business operations to motivate students to learn. She also developed student-run businesses inside the classroom. She worked to build interview skills in preparation for work experience, providing job shadowing programs for students, and supervised several clubs in which students participated to introduce reading strategies in teaching literature.

Her experience included CEO/Owner of Vocational/Career School; developing a marketing/entrepreneurship program for high school students; assessment teacher/mentor teacher for the State of Louisiana; Outstanding Entrepreneurship Teacher for Academies of Entrepreneurship Teacher (High School); High School Programs Teacher (Tulane University) Developed Curriculum program for Failing High Schools (Chair); State Team: Improving Best Practices for teachers at High School Level; sponsor of (Key Club, Marketing Club, Future Business Leaders of America and Yearbook); and Teacher of the High School Yearbook Program. She is the founder of PI 3.14 Inc. (Through which ``The Turn-Around Kids Club was created'') and CEO of Act Too Travel Inc., Serving as the CEO of a Cosmetology School and Mortgage Loan Originator (State of Louisiana), as well as a Supervisor Federal Credit Union and CEO/La Rue Esplanade Bed & Breakfast--New Orleans, LA Over All Business, and Co- Chair ``The Celebration of Women.''

Her professional associations include the National Education Association and the National Collation of Black Women membership.

I am so honored to have witnessed her courageous efforts during my career over the years. So many people's lives are forever changed because of the fight she endured during her lifetime. I thank Ms. Williams for all that she has done in her 50-year career.

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