81R14343 JNC-D

By: Isett H.C.R. No. 144

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Mitzi Jo Hopper Ziegner has been honored by the YWCA of Lubbock with a Women of Excellence Award for her remarkable achievements in the fields of education and religion, and her selection for this tribute is most fitting; and

WHEREAS, The Women of Excellence Award was created in 1989 to emphasize the vital roles that women play in both the civic and professional worlds, honoring women for their achievements and for their contributions to the community as leaders and volunteers; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Ziegner has dedicated her professional life to improving the quality of education for elementary students; a 1995 cum laude graduate of Texas Tech University, she earned a bachelor's degree in human development and family studies and went on to earn a master's degree in curriculum and instruction with a reading and early childhood specialization from Wayland Baptist University; she also completed extensive postgraduate professional development courses and training in areas that include effectively teaching children in poverty, positive classroom instruction and discipline, gifted and talented education, and dyslexia intervention; and

WHEREAS, Beginning her career in 1998 as a Head Start teacher at Ballenger Early Childhood Center, Ms. Ziegner later worked as a second-grade teacher at Nat Williams Elementary; while holding a teaching position, she served as a part-time early childhood education instructor at Texas Tech University and a cooperating teacher and mentor for student teachers and lab and practicum students; and

WHEREAS, A woman of extraordinary talent and energy, Ms. Ziegner currently holds three positions at Texas Tech University: she is a full-time early childhood and elementary education instructor and university supervisor in the Colleges of Education and Human Sciences; she serves as an adjunct instructor in the distance-learning program; and she is an independent educational trainer, guest lecturer, and consultant for Texas Tech's Early Head Start Program, the Christine DeVitt and Helen DeVitt Jones Child Development Research Center, and the Lubbock, Lubbock-Cooper, and Frenship Independent School Districts; and

WHEREAS, Outside of the classroom, Ms. Ziegner has made valuable leadership contributions to education; an active supporter of the Lubbock Independent School District, she has worked on numerous committees and councils; after earning an honorary membership in Phi Upsilon Omicron, the College of Human Sciences honor society, she was named that organization's faculty advisor, and she has generously assisted the College of Human Sciences and its alumni association; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of her influence and actions to improve the quality of elementary education, she was honored as the 2004 Texas Tech University College of Human Sciences Distinguished Alumni New Achiever; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Ziegner also shares her time with the Junior League of Lubbock; an executive board member, she has served the group as public relations chair, publicity chair, and member of the 2008-2009 Nominating Committee; and

WHEREAS, With her receipt of a Women of Excellence Award, Mitzi Ziegner joins an elite group of women who have been honored by the YWCA of Lubbock; distinguished by her intelligence, determination, and talent, she is indeed a worthy role model for this and future generations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas hereby congratulate Mitzi Jo Hopper Ziegner on receiving a 2009 Women of Excellence Award from the YWCA of Lubbock and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Ms. Ziegner as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.