2023 -- H 6458
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LC003094
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
CONGRATULATING AND HONORING FORMER SUPE RINTENDENT OF PAWTUC KET
PUBLIC SCHOOLS DR. CHERYL MCWILLIAMS ON HER RETIREMENT AFTER MORE
THAN TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE CHILDREN AND
THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET
Introduced By: Representatives Felix, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Alzate, Stewart,
Kazarian, Shallcross Smith, Cruz, Messier, and Ajello
Date Introduced: May 30, 2023
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, Cheryl McWilliams was born in Pawtucket and lived in the City for more 1
than sixty years before moving to Seekonk. She attended Pawtucket public schools (as did her 2
children) and graduated from Tolman High School. Ms. McWilliams attained a Bachelor's degree 3
in Music from Rhode Island College in 1981, a Masters of Education in Music degree from 4
Rhode Island College in 1997, received her Certificate in Educational Administration from 5
Providence College's Continuing Education Program, and attained her Doctor of Education 6
degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Northeastern University in 2011; and 7
WHEREAS, Dr. McWilliams began her distinguished education career in 1995, serving 8
as a substitute teacher with the Pawtucket School Department. She then attained a permanent 9
position with the Department as a music teacher, which she held for ten years, during which time 10
she brought the science, beauty and joy of music into children's lives, often introducing them to 11
music genres they had never before heard; and 12
WHEREAS, In 2007, Dr. McWilliams began the administrative part of her career, 13
serving as the Principal of Potter Burns Elementary School for ten years. Thanks to her superb 14
leadership skills and tireless work ethic, she was elevated to the position of Assistant 15
Superintendent of Pawtucket Public Schools; and 16
WHEREAS, In 2019, Dr. McWilliams was named as the Interim Superintendent, and in 17
February of 2020, was named Superintendent, a post she held until February of 2023. She was 18
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admired for her visionary leadership, innovative approaches to education, and the strength and 1
determination she brought to work every day, fighting to ensure that every Pawtucket public 2
school student received a quality education and equal access to the American dream; and 3
WHEREAS, Since March of 2023, Dr. McWilliams has served as the Continuous 4
Improvement Facilitator and Coach for the Center for Leadership and Educational Equity. Her 5
daily focus is on ensuring equitable outcomes for all students, securing meaningful professional 6
development opportunities for educators, and bringing people together to achieve common goals; 7
now, therefore be it 8
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 9
honors and congratulates Dr. Cheryl McWilliams on her retirement as Superintendent of the 10
Pawtucket School Department, after more than twenty-five years of dedicated and distinguished 11
service to the children and City of Pawtucket; and be it further 12
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 13
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Dr. Cheryl McWilliams. 14
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LC003094
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