H.R. No. 183
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
    1-2  Sallie Ann Langseth of Deer Park High School-South Campus for her
    1-3  recent selection as Secondary School Teacher of the Year for the
    1-4  State of Texas; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Mrs. Langseth won the accolade after careful
    1-6  consideration of many deserving educators from across the state and
    1-7  prior to her selection earned campus, district, and regional
    1-8  professional honors as well; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, After completing her undergraduate studies in math
   1-10  and chemistry at the University of Houston, Mrs. Langseth went on
   1-11  to earn a master of education degree in math curriculum from that
   1-12  same institution; she began her career in 1967 as a math teacher
   1-13  for the Pasadena Independent School District before transferring in
   1-14  1972 to the Deer Park district, where she has sought to make the
   1-15  abstract concepts of 9th-12th grade mathematics both interesting
   1-16  and enjoyable for two generations of students; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, Well regarded by colleagues and supervisors alike
   1-18  for her professionalism, dedication, and expertise, she has
   1-19  advanced to the position of chairwoman of the mathematics
   1-20  department at Deer Park High School-South Campus; and
   1-21        WHEREAS, Mrs. Langseth is a teacher in the truest sense of
   1-22  the word, and she has demonstrated a great interest in her
   1-23  students' progress by always encouraging them and helping them
   1-24  reach their highest potential; her ability to open the mysteries of
    2-1  higher mathematics to the district's most gifted and talented
    2-2  students has earned her widespread acclaim but, more importantly,
    2-3  it has enriched the lives of countless students; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, An innovative and energetic professional, she helped
    2-5  create the school's prestigious Academic Decathlon program and also
    2-6  was instrumental in the development of the district's advanced
    2-7  mathematics program; she was amply rewarded for her efforts when
    2-8  both programs went on to garner national honors; and
    2-9        WHEREAS, Despite these many obligations, this committed
   2-10  educator also volunteers to teach students with learning
   2-11  disabilities; Mrs. Langseth's own struggles with dyslexia and
   2-12  attention deficit disorder have made her acutely aware of the
   2-13  difficulties and frustrations that these students face; and
   2-14        WHEREAS, Mrs. Langseth further addresses critical educational
   2-15  issues as a member of the Texas Education Agency's Texas School
   2-16  Improvement Initiative and has served with distinction as an
   2-17  academic consultant to state and national firms; and
   2-18        WHEREAS, In recognition of the many significant contributions
   2-19  she has made to her chosen profession, she was named a Tandy
   2-20  Scholar, an honor given only to the most outstanding mathematics
   2-21  teachers in the nation, and has been recognized for her exceptional
   2-22  teaching abilities by the National Conference of Teachers of
   2-23  Mathematics, the National Science Conference, USA Today, and the
   2-24  Washington Press Conference; this remarkable lady was also named
   2-25  High School Teacher of the Year by the Deer Park Chamber of
   2-26  Commerce; and
   2-27        WHEREAS, Not content to limit her service to the classroom,
    3-1  Mrs. Langseth has worked for the betterment of the Deer Park
    3-2  community through her close involvement with students at Boy's
    3-3  Harbor, where she has taught disadvantaged youths skills in math,
    3-4  language arts, and social development; in addition, she and her
    3-5  husband have established a Habitat for Humanity Project, and
    3-6  Mrs. Langseth volunteers her extensive experience in landscape
    3-7  design to the local chamber of commerce for numerous community
    3-8  beautification projects; and
    3-9        WHEREAS, Throughout her distinguished tenure, Mrs. Langseth
   3-10  has served as a positive role model for students facing adversity,
   3-11  encouraging them to meet their challenges and use their talents to
   3-12  succeed, and in doing so, she has helped to instill knowledge,
   3-13  self-esteem, and a positive outlook in many future leaders of our
   3-14  state; now, therefore, be it
   3-15        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   3-16  Legislature hereby commend Sallie Ann Langseth for her outstanding
   3-17  career as an educator and congratulate her on her most recent honor
   3-18  as Secondary School Teacher of the Year for the State of Texas;
   3-19  and, be it further
   3-20        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   3-21  prepared for Mrs. Langseth as an expression of high regard by the
   3-22  Texas House of Representatives.