2016 Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 23 BY SENATOR PEACOCK A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION To commend and congratulate Nicole Vasquez on being selected as the 2016 Louisiana High School Teacher of the Year. WHEREAS, the Louisiana Teacher of the Year Program, which is cosponsored by the Louisiana Department of Education, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and Dream Teachers, is an annual event which recognizes and honors top performing teachers in Louisiana; and WHEREAS, the awards were presented at the 9th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Symposium and Celebration in Baton Rouge on July 11, 2015, by the Louisiana Department of Education in association with Dream Teachers and the Louisiana Principals Association; and WHEREAS, Captain Shreve High School English and Social Studies teacher Nicole Vasquez was selected as the 2016 Louisiana High School Teacher of the Year; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Vasquez was among nine finalists for the annual award which celebrates and honors Louisiana's most exceptional high school teachers; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Vasquez graduated from Leesville High School in 2003, earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English from Northwestern State University in 2007, a Master of Education in Special Education, Gifted, from Northwestern State University in 2010, and her certification in Secondary Social Studies from Northwestern State University in 2011; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Vasquez has immense gratitude and love for her school and district and has been given the opportunity to showcase all of the hardworking and dedicated teachers at Captain Shreve High School; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Vasquez believes teamwork makes Captain Shreve High School a great place to teach and learn with a staff that supports and truly encourages each other; and Page 1 of 2 SCR NO. 23 ENROLLED WHEREAS, Mrs. Vasquez's teaching assignments include ninth and tenth grade English, eleventh and twelfth grade Liberal Arts I (Philosophy and Multicultural Perspectives), and general, enriched, honors, and gifted phases; and WHEREAS, she was a Z Club cosponsor and a Youth and Government cosponsor, and from 2007-2010, served as Drama Club sponsor where she codirected three musicals and three sets of one-act plays; and WHEREAS, her various volunteer roles have included faculty powder-puff team, faculty cheerleader, faculty volleyball team, wiffle ball tournament, participation in KGTR broadcast channel skits and interviews, and the talent skit in the Faculty Talent Show; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Vasquez said much of her own success during her eight years at Captain Shreve High School has come from Principal Sandra McCalla's guidance; and WHEREAS, Dr. McCalla is grateful for the work of Mrs. Vasquez both inside and outside the classroom as she is a testament to the power of teachers; and WHEREAS, the Caddo Parish School Board and superintendent celebrate and applaud Nicole Vasquez for this accomplishment as she continuously motivates and challenges her students, and engages them in thought-provoking discussions designed to inspire and cultivate a love of learning. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Nicole Vasquez for her service and dedication to the students at Captain Shreve High School and congratulate her upon her selection as the 2016 Louisiana High School Teacher of the Year. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Nicole Vasquez. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Page 2 of 2