House Resolution 125

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MRS. JOANNA HOFFMAN UPON WINNING THE HARRISON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Joanna Hoffman of Harrison County, Mississippi, was awarded the 2016 Harrison County School District Teacher of the Year Award, in recognition of her outstanding performance as an educator and a mentor to the young minds of Harrison County; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Hoffman teaches sixth grade math and science at North Woolmarket Middle School, where her students' sixth grade math scores have ranked second in the state for the past two years; and

WHEREAS, the oldest of three children, Mrs. Hoffman has served as a teacher for most of her life, having often worked in preschool classrooms during her years in high school and college where she discovered her passion for education, leading her to earn her bachelor's degree in elementary education from William Carey University in 2009; and

WHEREAS, upon graduating from William Carey University, Mrs. Hoffman completed her student teaching at Bel-Aire Elementary, in Gulfport, Mississippi, where she was hired full-time and worked for two years before transferring to Woolmarket Elementary; and

WHEREAS, with a desire to further her educational matriculation, Mrs. Hoffman earned her master's degree in 2011 and her specialist degree in higher education administration from William Carey University in 2013; and

WHEREAS, with an uncompromising commitment to being the best educator she could be, Mrs. Hoffman completed many additional programs and currently holds state licenses in elementary education, reading, science, social studies, middle school math, and gifted education; and

WHEREAS, in addition to teaching sixth grade math and science, Mrs. Hoffman also sponsors many student activities, including her sponsorship of the Beta Club, which allows her and her students the opportunity to volunteer for many nonprofits in the community; and

WHEREAS, in addition to serving the students at North Woolmarket Middle School, Mrs. Hoffman also served as grade-level chairperson, first-year teacher mentor, and facilitated professional development at the school and district-wide level; and

WHEREAS, when she is not molding the minds of tomorrow's leaders at North Woolmarket Middle School, she enjoys camping, boating, running and spending time with her husband Richard Hoffman and their two children Gabriella and Hadleigh; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize outstanding contributions to education like that of Mrs. Hoffman, whose commitment to providing the best education possible ensures not only a bright future for the many students in her charge, but a bright future for the State of Mississippi as those students grow into the capable leaders of tomorrow:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mrs. Joanna Hoffman upon being named the 2016 Harrison County School District Teacher of the Year, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Joanna Hoffman, North Woolmarket Middle School Principal Christy Buchanan and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.