2019 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 277
BY SENATOR BISHOP
A RESOLUTION
To commend and congratulate Michael Daniel Nelson on being named the Teacher of the
Year for 2018-2019 by the Jefferson Parish School System.
WHEREAS, Michael Daniel Nelson was born August 3, 1967 in New Orleans
Louisiana, grew up in the Uptown area of New Orleans, and attended McDonogh #35 Senior
High School; and
WHEREAS, after participating in the marching band for four years and graduating
with the class of 1985, Mr. Nelson joined the United States Army active duty and performed
Basic Training in Ft. Bliss, Texas; and
WHEREAS, after serving two years in Germany, he returned home joined the
Louisiana National Guard and enrolled at Southern University at New Orleans, earning a
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Economics in 1993; and
WHEREAS, after five years of working in several positions with Gulf Coast Bank
& Trust, Mr. Nelson pursued employment in education as a Jobs for America's Graduates
Job Specialist, began work at Walter L. Cohen, and in 1999, transferred to L.W. Higgins
High School in Marrero, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Nelson simultaneously continued his military career with the
United States Army Reserves as a Master Sergeant with the 377th TSC and First Sergeant
with the 469th Finance Group; in 2003 Mr. Nelson was headed on his first deployment to
Kuwait and Iraq for the Operation Enduring Freedom tour; and
WHEREAS, as a veteran and currently serving thirty-four total years in the United
States Armed Services, his achievements include: recipient of the Army Commendation
Medal, recipient of the Army Achievement Medal, recipient of the Good Conduct Medal,
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recipient of the Army Meritorious Unit Award, recipient of the Unit Citation Award,
Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC), Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course
(BNCOC), Advanced Non Commissioned Officer Course (ANCOC), recipient of a General
Officer's Coin, recipient of a Command Sergeant Major's Coin, and obtained the Operational
Contract Support (Military Occupation Skill) MOS ASIC Identifier; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Nelson continued employment with the Jefferson Parish Public
School System and earned several accomplishments with the JAG (Jobs For America's
Graduates) Program; as a Job Specialist, Mr Nelson teaches 37 core competencies that
enhance employability skills and his students are engaged with community service,
fundraising events, field trips and guest speakers; and
WHEREAS, he is a recipient of the Mayor's Community Service Award; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Nelson accomplished National JAG's 5 of 5 Outcome in 2008,
2009, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2017, and 2018, was noted as an Outstanding Job Specialist at the
National Training Seminar in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2018, and received the JAG
Patriot Award in 2005; and
WHEREAS, he attained graduation rates of 94% and higher since 2001 and 100%
in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2018, is a mentor for Job Specialist in the state
of Louisiana and across America, propelled the Higgins Career Association to one of the
best JAG sites in the state of Louisiana, and earned 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards in
Employability Skills at the Louisiana Career Development Conferences; and
WHEREAS, Michael Dennis Nelson is an accomplished educator with demonstrated
ability to teach, motivate, and direct students and adults while maintaining high interest and
achievement, an articulate communicator able to effectively interact with diverse populations
of individuals at a variety of academic levels who consistently maintains excellent relations
with students, parents, faculty, and administrators, is self-motivated, and who possesses
strong planning, organizational, and leadership skills; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Michael Nelson resides on the Westbank of New Orleans, is
married to Sheree T. Nelson, his high school sweetheart and mother of his two lovely
daughters Zhane' Racquel Nelson and Zaria Monet Nelson, and he also has a son, Jemell
Michael Nelson; and
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WHEREAS, on February 9, 2019 he was named Teacher of the Year for 2018-2019
by the Jefferson Parish School System.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend and congratulate Michael Daniel Nelson on being named the Teacher
of the Year for 2018-2019 by the Jefferson Parish School System.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Michael Daniel Nelson.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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