HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 767 Offered January 18, 2007 Commending Gail Elizabeth Pope.  ---------- Patron-- Miller, J.H. ----------

WHEREAS, Dr. Gail Elizabeth Pope, superintendent for Manassas Park City Public Schools, was named 2006 Curriculum Leader of the Year by the Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (VASCD) and was honored at its annual conference in Williamsburg on November 30, 2006; and

WHEREAS, VASCD is an affiliate of the national Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), which represents members in all states, more than 135 countries, and 58 affiliates of diverse education professions, including superintendents, supervisors, principals, teachers, education professors, and school board members; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pope received the distinguished award for her longtime leadership and commitment to improve curriculum and instruction, staff development, and learning environment as the associate superintendent for curriculum, instruction, and technology; and 

WHEREAS, Dr. Pope was instrumental in the oversight of the design, implementation, and assessment of  Manassas Park City Public Schools' strategic plan and technology plan for curriculum; and

WHEREAS,  Dr. Pope earned a bachelor’s degree from Radford University, received master’s and doctoral degrees in education from Texas A&M University, and had more than 30 years' experience as a teacher, assistant principal, and associate superintendent before becoming superintendent on July 1, 2006; and

 WHEREAS, before joining Manassas Park City Public Schools, Dr. Pope served as director for Region VIII Governor’s Best Practice Center for the Virginia Department of Education; and

WHEREAS, because of Dr. Pope's commitment to excellence in education throughout her career, Manassas Park City Schools has significantly improved in all measures of student achievement; and

WHEREAS, widely known and respected by her colleagues, Dr. Pope was elected by ASCD's 178,000 members to serve a four-year term on the organization's board of directors; and

WHEREAS, through her guidance and example, Dr. Pope inspires Manassas Park City Public Schools teachers and staff to treat each other with respect and to do their best to help all of the students of Manassas Park to fulfill their highest potential; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Dr. Gail Elizabeth Pope on her well-deserved recognition as 2006 Curriculum Leader of the Year by VASCD; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. Gail Elizabeth Pope as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for her commitment to the young people of Manassas Park and the Commonwealth.