HJ435: Commending Nancy Davenport.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 435
Offered February 19, 2008
Commending Nancy Davenport.

Patrons-- Purkey, Bouchard, Iaquinto, Mathieson, Suit and Tata; Senators: Blevins, Stolle and Wagner

WHEREAS, Nancy Davenport, principal of Kingston Elementary School, was honored as the president-elect of the National Association of Elementary School Principals for 2007 - 2008; and

WHEREAS, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) provides support and advocacy to over 30,000 elementary and middle school principals and educational leaders across the United States in their commitment to all children; and

WHEREAS, Nancy Davenport graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from James Madison University, earned a master’s degree in reading education from Old Dominion University, and received a doctorate in education from Vanderbilt University; and

WHEREAS, a fine educator for over 30 years, Nancy Davenport began her distinguished career as a teacher in Suffolk, transferred to the Virginia Beach City Public Schools in 1973, and served as a classroom teacher, a reading specialist, and an assistant principal, before becoming principal of Kingston Elementary School in 1994; and

WHEREAS, as principal of Kingston Elementary School, Nancy Davenport has been an innovative leader and administrator and has touched the lives of her students and her fellow educators with her positive attitude and enthusiasm for learning; and

WHEREAS, Nancy Davenport has served in many important leadership positions in education on the local and state level, including working with the Virginia State Reading Association and the Virginian Department of Education’s Advisory Board for Teacher Education and Licensure; and

WHEREAS, Nancy Davenport has received numerous honors over the years for her dedicated service as an educator, including the Distinguished Service Award by the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals (VAESP) in 2003, the Excellence in Education Award by the United States Department of Education and the NAESP in 1997, and the VAESP School Bell Award in 1997; and

WHEREAS, through her excellent skills as a leader and a communicator, Nancy Davenport will provide exceptional leadership for the NAESP and will be a hardworking advocate for educators and Virginia’s young people; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate Nancy Davenport as the president-elect of the National Association of Elementary School Principals for 2007 - 2008; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Nancy Davenport as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation for her many achievements and best wishes for success in her new position.