SENATE RESOLUTION

                            8637

By Senators Johnson, Sheldon, B., Spanel, Kohl-Welles and Rasmussen

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

     WHEREAS, Katie Henderson, chosen among hundreds of Washington's top educators, is the recipient of the 2001 Washington State Teacher of the Year award; and

     WHEREAS, Katie Henderson is a sixth grade teacher at Glenridge Elementary in the Kent School District and has been a professional educator for more than twenty-five years; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Henderson is a remarkable catalyst for learning in her classrooms and her school, helping to cultivate a community of learners among her colleagues and students; and

     WHEREAS, Her passion, vision, and commitment to educating her students consistently exceeds all expectations, and she 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, Mrs. Henderson'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, Mrs. Henderson challenges her students to follow her down new roads and adventures in learning; and

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

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Henderson guides her students to discover within themselves new paths for success and new validation for their own unique talents; and

     WHEREAS, She is a respected leader in her school district, regularly volunteering for special committee assignments and leadership positions, committing her time and energy to improving the Kent School District through curriculum development, coaching, and teacher training;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize Katie Henderson for her 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 Secretary of the Senate to the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Washington Education Association, the Kent Education Association, the Kent School District Superintendent, the Principal of Glenridge Elementary, and Katie Henderson.

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 2001-8637,

adopted by the Senate April 5, 2001.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate