By Talton, Jackson H.R. No. 183
74R5031 SAJ-D
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.