Senate Resolution 13

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING LOVETT ELEMENTARY MUSIC TEACHER CATHERINE STAGG FOR BEING NAMED THE CLINTON SCHOOL DISTRICT "TEACHER OF THE YEAR" FOR 2005-2006.

WHEREAS, Lovett Elementary music teacher, Catherine Stagg has been named the Clinton School District's Teacher of the Year for 2005-2006; and

WHEREAS, a committee from outside the district selected Stagg after interviewing nominees from each school district; and

WHEREAS, Stagg now will compete for the State's Teacher of the Year. The state honoree will compete for the national title; and

WHEREAS, Superintendent Tommy Henderson, and Assistant Superintendent Tim Martin surprised Stagg at Lovett with the announcement. "I cannot express how much Mrs. Stagg has come to mean to me, the staff and students at Lovett Elementary," said Principal Tim Willis, who was also present for the announcement; and

WHEREAS, "she understands her students, their parents, her role as instructor, the demands of the school and the needs of the community," he said. She is definitely about improving each and every student; and

WHEREAS, Stagg, who is from Louisiana, moved to Clinton several years ago with her husband, Duane. They have three children, ages 23, 21 and 12; and

WHEREAS, this marks Stagg's second year at Lovett. She previously worked as a music teacher splitting her time between Clinton Park and Eastside; and

WHEREAS, as a music teacher, Mrs. Stagg sees about 100 students every nine weeks as part of a rotating unit at Lovett. She tries to show them that "life is connected in all different directions"; and

WHEREAS, Stagg said she has been teaching for only 10 years. She holds a music education degree from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston and has started working on a master's degree. Before coming to Clinton, Stagg lived in Vicksburg 20 years. She was previously named Teacher of the Year at the old Jett Elementary in Vicksburg and Teacher of the Year two years at South Park Elementary in Vicksburg; and

WHEREAS, Clinton now has two state Teachers of the Year, retired Clinton High teacher Betty Whitlock also received the honor in 1992; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this achievement by a dedicated public school educator who has brought honor to her school, her community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Lovett Elementary School music teacher Catherine Stagg for being named the Clinton School District "Teacher of the Year" for 2005-2006, and extend to her and her family the best wishes of the Senate in her future professional endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mrs. Stagg and Lovett Elementary Principal Tim Willis and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.