HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 175 Offered January 13, 2006 Commending Sharon I. Byrdsong. ----------
Patrons-- Miller, Alexander, Amundson, Armstrong, BaCote, Barlow, Brink, Bulova, Caputo, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Hall, Howell, A.T., Joannou, Jones, D.C., Lewis, McClellan, McEachin, Melvin, Poisson, Shannon, Spruill, Toscano, Tyler, Ward and Ware, O.; Senators: Miller and Rerras
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WHEREAS, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and MetLife honored Sharon I. Byrdsong, principal of Azalea Gardens Middle School of the Norfolk Public Schools, with the 2006 National Middle School Principal of the Year award; and

WHEREAS, an outstanding educator, Sharon Byrdsong received the prestigious award for demonstrating excellence in resolving the complex problems involving the local community and the school, as well as her consistent success in improving the overall learning environment of the urban Azalea Gardens Middle School; and

WHEREAS, Sharon Byrdsong received the Virginia State Middle School Principal of the Year award and was one of three finalists chosen for the national award from exemplary middle school principal winners across the country; and

WHEREAS, Sharon Byrdsong received a bachelor’s degree in marketing education from North Carolina State University, a master’s degree in school administration from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, and is a doctoral candidate at Regent University School of Education; and

WHEREAS, an excellent communicator and administrator, Sharon Byrdsong came to Azalea Gardens Middle School in 2000 and began working with teachers, administrators, and staff to establish a sense of school pride, high achievement, responsibility, and trust; and

WHEREAS, Sharon Byrdsong’s leadership and experience were instrumental in raising Standards of Learning test scores at Azalea Gardens Middle School to the highest in the eastern Virginia region and she designed and implemented "SOL Success Caravan," a tutorial program that aids and encourages students to improve performance and involves greater parental support; and

WHEREAS, admired and respected by students, faculty, and parents, Sharon Byrdsong is a worthy recipient of the MetLife/NASSP 2006 National Middle School Principal of the Year award; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Sharon I. Byrdsong for her leadership and valuable service to Azalea Gardens Middle School; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Sharon I. Byrdsong as an expression of the General Assembly's gratitude for her many gifts and talents as an educator and administrator and her dedication to the young people of Norfolk.