HJ672: Commending Susan W. Evans.
WHEREAS, Susan W. Evans, a mathematics teacher at Rural Retreat High School, a Wythe County Public School, is Virginia’s Teacher of the Year 2007; and
WHEREAS, Virginia’s Teacher of the Year is chosen from eight regional teacher finalists, and Susan Evans was awarded the state honor in Richmond on October 20, 2006, in a ceremony sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education in cooperation with corporate sponsors; and
WHEREAS, the Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors teachers who represent the best in teaching across the Commonwealth and the nation and the acclaimed award winners serve as ambassadors promoting the teaching profession and quality education for all students; and
WHEREAS, Susan Evans earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and education from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, a master's degree in the same from Virginia Tech, and received certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in young adult mathematics; and
WHEREAS, before joining Wythe County Public Schools seven years ago, Susan Evans taught mathematics at the Roanoke Valley Governor’s School for Science and Technology; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to increase Standards of Learning mathematics scores at Rural Retreat High School, Susan Evans established an after-school remediation program and an Annual Mathematics Night for her students and their families; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, Susan Evans developed a dual credit pre-calculus course that enrolled 47 students at her school, an impressive number for a small, rural high school; and
WHEREAS, Susan Evans will represent the Commonwealth in the annual National Teacher of the Year selection process, which is sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers, Scholastic Inc., and the ING Foundation and is announced at a White House ceremony; and
WHEREAS, Susan Evans is an active member of numerous education associations and has received awards from professional and civic entities, such as being named Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Susan Evans uses her many skills and talents to create an enthusiasm for mathematics in her students, and she epitomizes the vital role that mathematics teachers play in the education of Virginia's children; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Susan W. Evans on her well-deserved recognition as Virginia’s Teacher of the Year 2007; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Susan W. Evans as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration and gratitude for her commitment to the young people of Wythe County and the Commonwealth.