2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 194
BY SENATOR GATTI
A RESOLUTION
To commend Rachel Valentine on being named Bossier Parish 2017-2018 Middle School
Teacher of the Year.
WHEREAS, Rachel Valentine teaches social studies to sixth grade students at
Benton Middle School, in Benton, Louisiana in Bossier Parish; and
WHEREAS, Rachel Valentine's philosophy of teaching is that each year she sets both
teaching and learning goals for herself and her students, who are her first priority; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Valentine believes that each new school year brings in a new group
of students, each with their own individual learning needs, strengths, weaknesses, and
dreams of a successful future, and as their teacher, it is her duty and privilege to help each
of her students on their journey; and
WHEREAS, Rachel Valentine was born and raised in Bethany, Louisiana, to Monte
and Carol Robinson, and she graduated from Huntington High School in 1994; and
WHEREAS, a 2000 graduate of Louisiana State University in Shreveport, Louisiana,
Rachel Valentine earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education with a concentration in
social studies; and
WHEREAS, later that year, Ms. Valentine began her teaching career at Woodlawn
High School in Shreveport where she taught all areas of social studies through the 2009-
2010 school year; and
WHEREAS, Rachel Valentine moved to First Baptist School Shreveport in 2010,
where she taught all three middle school social studies classes and served as the advisor to
the student council; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, Rachel Valentine moved to Benton Middle School in Benton,
Louisiana, where she teaches social studies to sixth grade students and has been the faculty
advisor for the student council, taking students to the Louisiana Association of Student
Council's state convention each year, leading the only school in Bossier Parish to attend this
annual event; and
WHEREAS, Rachel Valentine moved to Bossier, Louisiana, in 2003 where she lives
Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 194 ENROLLED
with her two children, Mary Frances and Charlie, and has a strong bond with her family,
both with her children and her larger extended family; and
WHEREAS, beyond her responsibilities as a parent and teacher, Ms. Valentine
teaches middle school Sunday school at Benton United Methodist Church, where she also
serves on the staff parish relations committee; and
WHEREAS, Rachel Valentine also volunteers at a nondenominational worship
service for special needs adults and children at St. Matthias Episcopal Church in Shreveport,
Louisiana, where she helps lead the "Rhythms of Grace" activities; and
WHEREAS, Rachel Valentine comes from a large family on her mother's side and
it is not unusual for over forty relatives to attend annual family vacations at Navarre Beach,
Florida; and
WHEREAS, the process for selecting a Louisiana Teacher of the Year begins at the
local level, with every public or public charter school district eligible to select a candidate
to represent their district, subject to their own selection process and with individual local
school nominations sent to the district for further review and consideration; and
WHEREAS, each district superintendent or public charter school district may select
three outstanding teachers whose names are forwarded to the Louisiana Department of
Education for competition at the statewide level, nominees are one each in the categories of
elementary, middle school, and high school teachers; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Valentine has used her talent for teaching, not only in her
classroom, but in the broader community, and she exemplifies all the best that one could ask
for in a person teaching children and encouraging them in their academic, spiritual, and
leadership roles as they move into adulthood and become good citizens of their community.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Rachel Valentine on being named Bossier Parish 2017-2018 Middle
School Teacher of the Year.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Rachel Valentine in care of Benton Middle School.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 2 of 2