MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Kirby

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING LINDA KEY UPON BEING NAMED TEACHER OF THE YEAR BY THE MISSISSIPPI FEDERATION OF COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN.

WHEREAS, Pearl School District veteran special education teacher Linda Key has been named Teacher of the Year by the Mississippi Federation of Council for Exceptional Children; and

WHEREAS, the council is an international organization whose purpose is to advance the welfare and education of exceptional children; and

WHEREAS, the council is composed of educators, parents, persons who are gifted or disabled, advocates for those with exceptionalities, and other interested parties; and

WHEREAS, each year the council honors its members who have done outstanding work on behalf of children with exceptionalities by presenting various professional awards; and

WHEREAS, as state Council for Exceptional Children Teacher of the Year, Linda Key will represent the state in the competition for the International Council's Teacher of the Year Award in March in Kansas City; and

WHEREAS, Linda Key has been a special education teacher for 28 years and has taught in the Pearl School District the past 22 years; and

WHEREAS, while at the Pearl School District, Linda Key has been honored as the district's Special Educator of the Year, LDA Teacher of the Year and Lower Elementary School Teacher of the Year; and

WHEREAS, in a school where a separate class for special education children had always been the norm, Linda Key started a total inclusion program for kindergarten and first grade; and

WHEREAS, Linda earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Jackson State University and also has completed graduate work at the University of Southern Mississippi and post graduate work at Jackson State University; and

WHEREAS, Linda Key is a volunteer with the Special Olympics, Very Special Arts Festival and the Mississippi Youth Symphony; and

WHEREAS, Linda Key serves as a youth leader at Anderson Methodist Church and an officer in the Neighborhood Homeowners' Association; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippians such as Linda Key, who has dedicated her life to serving not only children with exceptionalities, but also the teachers who work with them:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Linda Key upon being named Teacher of the Year by the Council for Exceptional Children.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be furnished to Linda Key and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.