H.R. No. 682
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
    1-2  Nereida Samuda Zimic of Travis High School on her recent selection
    1-3  as the Texas Foreign Language Association's Spanish Teacher of the
    1-4  Year; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, A native of Panama, Mrs. Zimic has been an educator
    1-6  for 25 years and has taught at the elementary, junior high, high
    1-7  school, and college levels; for the past 15 years, she has made a
    1-8  profound impact on the lives of many Austin students as a Spanish
    1-9  teacher at Travis High School, and she has capably directed the
   1-10  school's foreign language department since 1985; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, A teacher in the truest sense of the word, she takes
   1-12  a special interest in all of her students' progress and always
   1-13  helps and encourages her pupils to reach their highest potential;
   1-14  and
   1-15        WHEREAS, Throughout her distinguished tenure, Mrs. Zimic has
   1-16  remained committed to high academic standards in the classroom, and
   1-17  both she and her students constantly strive to "reach for the
   1-18  stars"; they have been amply rewarded for their efforts, as her
   1-19  pupils have received high scores in foreign language contests and
   1-20  on the National Spanish Examination, and her advanced placement
   1-21  students have consistently earned credit towards university course
   1-22  work; and
   1-23        WHEREAS, This highly skilled and talented educator has
   1-24  developed a variety of activities to reinforce learning about the
    2-1  language and culture of Spanish-speaking countries, and by
    2-2  combining Spanish art, music, dance, and cuisine with essential
    2-3  elements, she has created a wonderful and popular course in the
    2-4  school's curriculum; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, In testament to her outstanding teaching skills and
    2-6  warm and caring disposition, many of her former students have
    2-7  returned to their alma mater to thank her for the positive
    2-8  influence she has had on their lives; and
    2-9        WHEREAS, Mrs. Zimic also has earned the respect and
   2-10  admiration of her colleagues, and her outstanding leadership during
   2-11  the school's restructuring process, as well as her friendly and
   2-12  helpful manner, have made her a valued member of the faculty; and
   2-13        WHEREAS, A proven leader in her chosen field, she has earned
   2-14  three grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and
   2-15  recently was voted Travis High School Teacher of the Year; and
   2-16        WHEREAS, Throughout her outstanding career, Mrs. Zimic has
   2-17  sought to instill knowledge, self-esteem, and a positive outlook in
   2-18  many future leaders of our state, and she is indeed worthy of our
   2-19  highest praise and recognition for her exceptional efforts; now,
   2-20  therefore, be it
   2-21        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-22  Legislature hereby commend Nereida Samuda Zimic for her outstanding
   2-23  career as an educator and congratulate her on her selection as the
   2-24  Texas Foreign Language Association's Spanish Teacher of the Year;
   2-25  and, be it further
   2-26        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-27  prepared for Mrs. Zimic as an expression of high regard by the
    3-1  Texas House of Representatives.