ENROLLED
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 122
BY REPRESENTATIVE NANCY LANDRY
A RESOLUTION
To commend teachers across the state of Louisiana and to designate Wednesday, May 4,
2016, as Teacher Appreciation Day at the state capitol.
WHEREAS, public school teachers, nonpublic school teachers, and parents who
serve as home study teachers serve the needs of nearly 900,000 Louisiana children from
birth through twelfth grade; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana teachers serve students in diverse settings including
prekindergarten programs, traditional and charter public schools, nonpublic schools,
parochial schools, Montessori schools, virtual schools, and home schools, and early learning
centers; and
WHEREAS, the efforts of over forty-seven thousand Louisiana public school
teachers and approximately twelve thousand nonpublic school teachers and twelve thousand
home study teachers have resulted in tremendous gains in educational attainment for
Louisiana students; and
WHEREAS, the 2014-2015 school year was a banner year for Louisiana public
school students, 67% of third through fifth grade students scored basic or above in English
language arts and math, 63% of middle school students scored basic or above in English
language arts and math, 62% of high school students earned scores of good or excellent on
end of course tests, more than seven thousand students earned advanced placement credit
and more than six hundred earned International Baccalaureate credit, and approximately
eleven thousand students earned an industry based credential; and
WHEREAS, 77.5% of the 2015 cohort in public schools earned a high school
diploma, the highest cohort graduation rate in the state's history; and
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WHEREAS, teachers are not only expected to be experts in their content and
pedagogical approaches, but also in the individual interests, strengths, and needs of their
students and communities, often teaching multiple siblings, relatives, and generations of
students during their careers; and
WHEREAS, teachers' responsibilities can extend far beyond those listed in their job
descriptions, and their time commitment can extend far beyond the daily bell to bell; it is not
uncommon for teachers to make extra time for parents before the school day starts, squeeze
in tutoring during the few free minutes of the school day, run clubs or coach sports after
school, chaperone, supervise, or cheer on students during weekends, and instruct students
who need extra help over the summer; and
WHEREAS, teachers often reach beyond their students to ensure that parents,
grandparents, and extended families, who may have struggled in school themselves, receive
the knowledge and resources they desire to help their children in any way they can; and
WHEREAS, while society holds teachers to the highest professional standards,
expecting them to serve as model citizens by demonstrating patience, empathy, and fairness
always, many teachers surpass our expectations by choosing to serve as mentors, counselors,
and even parents when students lack the needed and deserved support; and
WHEREAS, countless Louisiana citizens attribute their professional success and
personal happiness to a teacher who chose to care.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the dedicated work and contributions of all
teachers across the state of Louisiana; does hereby extend enduring gratitude for their role
in shaping the intellect and character of each successive generation; and does hereby
designate Wednesday, May 4, 2016, as Teacher Appreciation Day at the state capitol.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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