HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2001-4643, by Representatives Pflug, Cairnes, Anderson, Simpson, Rockefeller, Esser, McDermott and Hunt

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

      WHEREAS, Katie Henderson, chosen from 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, Mrs. Henderson 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 House of Representatives 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 Co-Speakers of the House of Representatives to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Washington Education Association, the Kent School District Superintendent, the principal of Glenridge Elementary, and Katie Henderson.

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

      Resolution 4643 adopted by the House of Representatives

                          April 6, 2001.

________________________________     _____________________________

Timothy A. Martin, Co-Chief Clerk  Cynthia Zehnder, Co-Chief Clerk