Senate Resolution 44

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING OLIVIA BURTON UPON BEING NAMED 2002-2003 JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS' TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

WHEREAS, Olivia Burton, the great-granddaughter of a slave, was recently named Jackson Public Schools' Teacher of the Year and will represent Jackson Public Schools in the State Department of Education's annual program to name a Mississippi Teacher of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Olivia Burton teaches sixth grade language arts and learning disabled students at Siwell Middle School; and

WHEREAS, Olivia Burton, a 27-year educator with 12 years' experience teaching in Jackson schools, grew up in a family that made education a priority; and

WHEREAS, Olivia Burton's great-grandfather was a slave in the mid-1800's who was taught to read, write and do basic arithmetic by one of his owners; and

WHEREAS, education was also a top priority for her grandparents, who sent her mother to Piney Woods Country Life School; and

WHEREAS, Olivia Burton is able to bring out the best in students, whatever their level, by inspiring them to achieve; and

WHEREAS, her skills as a teacher are greatly enhanced by her love and concern for her students; and

WHEREAS, Olivia Burton, the mother of a college-age son and daughter, earned a Bachelor and Master's Degree in Special and Elementary Education from Jackson State University and has completed work toward a Specialist Degree at the University of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Senate finds it most appropriate to recognize and commend outstanding educators such as Olivia Burton, a teacher dedicated to guiding the young people of this state, who are its future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Olivia Burton upon being named the Jackson Public Schools' Teacher of the Year and express our deepest appreciation for her services as teacher in the State of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Olivia Burton and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.