HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.2003-4669, by Representatives Schoesler and Cox

WHEREAS, Washington state annually awards one teacher in the state with the distinguished Teacher of the Year award; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Griner, chosen from among hundreds of Washington's top educators, is the recipient of the 2003 Washington State Teacher of the Year award; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Griner is a teacher at Garfield - Palouse High School in the Palouse School District and has been a professional educator for more than thirty years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Griner is a remarkable catalyst for learning in his classrooms and his school, helping to cultivate a community of learners among his colleagues and students; and

WHEREAS, His passion, vision, and commitment to educating his students consistently exceed all expectations, and he regularly engages each student's mind, heart, and spirit, drawing out of these students the confidence and courage to have fun while learning; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Griner's brilliance in seizing every teachable moment and stretching young minds to want to learn new and exciting concepts is at the heart of education; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Griner challenges his students to follow him down new roads and adventures in learning; and

WHEREAS, Parents of Mr. Griner's students have sung praises of his ability to connect with their children, no matter how different each is; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Griner guides his students to discover within themselves new paths for success and new validation for their own unique talents; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Griner is a respected leader in his school district, beginning and ending each day teaching students the rules of the road in drivers' education classes, as well as teaching a full day of U.S. History and current world events; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Griner has a strong passion for audio/visual communications as well as possessing a strong gift in grant writing, a wealth of knowledge which he continues to share with his students as well as the whole community;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize Dennis Griner for his remarkable achievement in being awarded Washington State Teacher of the Year; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Washington Education Association, the Palouse School District Superintendent, the principal of Garfield - Palouse High School, and Mr. Dennis Griner.

I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

Resolution 4669 adopted by the House of Representatives

December 5, 2003

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Richard Nafziger, Chief Clerk