By Davis of Harris H.R. No. 125 77R4871 JKB-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Marilyn Petersen of La Porte has received the Milken 1-2 Family Foundation National Educator Award, and this significant 1-3 accomplishment is truly worthy of special recognition; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A teacher at La Porte Junior High, Ms. Petersen was 1-5 one of only 10 educators from the State of Texas to be accorded 1-6 this prestigious honor, which is given to recognize teachers' 1-7 exemplary leadership abilities, professional growth and 1-8 achievements, and their commitment to excellence in education; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Her impressive record of service speaks volumes 1-10 about her devotion to her profession; four years after creating a 1-11 class for students having difficulties with the Texas Assessment of 1-12 Academic Skills (TAAS) test, this remarkable instructor has 1-13 cultivated a group of hardworking students that have earned the 1-14 highest passing rate in math on the TAAS test in the district for a 1-15 secondary campus; her unique teaching style, coupled with her 1-16 individually tailored lessons and hands-on approach to math 1-17 instruction, has drawn the attention and respect of many of her 1-18 colleagues nationwide; and 1-19 WHEREAS, While serving as chair of the school's math 1-20 department, Ms. Petersen has developed and implemented many 1-21 innovative teaching methods that have helped students improve their 1-22 overall scores and comprehension of the material; in addition, she 1-23 serves as a mentor for new and student teachers and as a member of 1-24 the school's Campus Performance Objective Committee and is on the 2-1 TAAS Cadre to improve test scores; and 2-2 WHEREAS, This outstanding educator demonstrates her 2-3 commitment to improving education as an active member of several 2-4 noteworthy professional associations and by attending regular staff 2-5 development conferences; Ms. Petersen has also been an orientation 2-6 facilitator for the Texas Department of Education's Professional 2-7 Development and Appraisal System and has helped with the MS2 summer 2-8 program at San Jacinto College; and 2-9 WHEREAS, The Lone Star State has reaped the benefits of 2-10 Ms. Petersen's immense abilities and experience, and it is most 2-11 appropriate to honor her at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-12 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-13 Legislature hereby congratulate Marilyn Petersen on being named a 2-14 recipient of the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award 2-15 and extend sincere best wishes to her for continued success and 2-16 happiness; and, be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for Ms. Petersen as an expression of high regard by the 2-19 Texas House of Representatives.