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2009 SESSION

096888748
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 849
Offered February 5, 2009
Commending Recharta C. Walston.
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Patrons-- Howell, A.T., Tata, Bouchard, Iaquinto, Mathieson and Purkey
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WHEREAS, Recharta C. Walston, an outstanding third grade teacher at Seatack Elementary School of the Virginia Beach Public Schools, has been honored as a recipient of a 2008 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award; and

WHEREAS, Recharta Walston is "an exemplary classroom teacher who inspires and supports students on a daily basis and who is an inspiration to her colleagues and a tremendous support to the parents of her students and the community at large"; and

WHEREAS, established in 1985, the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards recognize elementary and secondary school teachers, principals, and administrators who promote excellence and innovation in public education; and

WHEREAS, Teacher Magazine describes the coveted Milken Educator Awards as “the Oscars of Teaching,” and the Milken Family Foundation strives to attract, develop, motivate, and retain talented people to the challenge and adventure of teaching; and

WHEREAS, without their knowledge, exemplary educators throughout the United States are considered by a blue-ribbon panel appointed by each state’s department of education for the unrestricted financial award of $25,000; the financial awards are distributed in the spring during the Milken Family Foundation National Education Conference; and

WHEREAS, Recharta Walston is one of just 80 educators from across the country to receive the distinguished Milken National Educator Award in 2008; and

WHEREAS, an experienced and knowledgeable teacher, Recharta Walston earned a bachelor’s degree from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Recharta Walston's students routinely score in the 90th percentile on Standards of Learning (SOL) tests; and

WHEREAS, Recharta Walston serves as Seatack Elementary School’s parent involvement coordinator, enlisting parents and community members to serve as classroom helpers, guest speakers, and tutors; and

WHEREAS, Recharta Walston coordinates the community partnership program that helps to ensure academic success by pairing students with a mentor who is a professional business adult; and

WHEREAS, Recharta Walston organized the school's spelling bee, a popular event with students that motivates them to study words and practice their spelling; and

WHEREAS, Recharta Walston works hard each year administering the new teacher community bus tour, volunteers as retention specialist for teachers, and is an active participant in many division-wide committees, including the elementary language arts textbook adoption committee; and

WHEREAS, Recharta Walston was the first recipient of the Virginia Beach Superintendent’s Spotlight Award for community involvement; and

WHEREAS, an innovative teacher, Recharta Walston is committed to providing the best education possible for all her students at Seatack Elementary School; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Recharta C. Walston on her well-deserved 2008 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Recharta C. Walston as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration and gratitude for her commitment to public education and the young people of Virginia Beach.