MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Browning

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING NEW ALBANY MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, SANDY KENT, UPON HER SELECTION AS THE NEW ALBANY SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2001.

WHEREAS, Sandy Kent has been nominated and selected by faculty members, administrators and citizens as the New Albany Municipal Separate School District Teacher of the Year 2001 and candidate for the statewide Mississippi Teacher of the Year Award; and

WHEREAS, Sandy, a special education teacher at New Albany Middle School, has taught special education for 25 years; and

WHEREAS, when Sandy first applied for a position with the New Albany City Schools at Mattie Thompson Elementary School, she said she had never heard of learning disabilities and was asked by the principal if she would be willing to take courses to get certified to teach this class. She did not hesitate and was thrilled to enter a new area of education; and

WHEREAS, eventually, self-contained students were added to her resource class offering new and rewarding challenges, and after ten years on staff, she was reassigned to the Trainable Mentally Retarded self-contained class at New Albany Middle School; and

WHEREAS, while Sandy was somewhat hesitant, she did give it a try and found that she loved it tremendously. The class has since evolved into a multi-handicapped class. "It was quite different to the special education class I started out with 25 years ago," she said. "My students are challenged with the most severe of disabilities"; and

WHEREAS, the job is physically and mentally demanding, but Sandy has found it to be very rewarding and is pleased to provide educational services that make her students eager to come to school, and to win the trust of her students' parents to provide the services they need; and

WHEREAS, Sandy's selection as Teacher of the Year is a true testament to her devotion to her students and their parents, her dedication to the teaching profession, and is an example for all beginning teachers in the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate New Albany Middle School Special Education Teacher Sandy Kent upon her selection as the New Albany School District Teacher of the Year 2001, and wish her success in her application for Mississippi Teacher of the Year and in her future professional endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Kent and furnished to New Albany Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Charles Garrett, Jr., and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.