H.R. No. 54 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Rachelle Grace of McAllen Memorial High School has received the 2011 H-E-B Excellence in Education Leadership Award in the secondary school category; and WHEREAS, Judged in cooperation with the Texas Association of School Administrators, the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, and the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards celebrate public school professionals whose leadership and commitment inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities; the Leadership Award recognizes one elementary and one secondary school teacher from around the state who have 10 to 20 years of classroom experience, and it provides $10,000 to the two recipients and $10,000 to the two schools; and WHEREAS, Rachelle Grace is chair of the English Language Arts Department and Advanced Placement Campus Program at McAllen Memorial High School, and she serves as a new teacher mentor; a graduate of the University of Kansas, she earned her bachelor's degree in middle and secondary English language arts and has taught at Memorial for 15 years; her experience includes teaching at all grade levels and she has conducted courses in journalism, speech, and fine arts dance; and WHEREAS, Employing humor and creativity, Ms. Grace engages her students and motivates them to reach their full potential; moreover, she gives generously of her time and talents to numerous school committees addressing such issues as curriculum, staff development, and policy, and she promotes the use of technology in the classroom; she was named the school's Teacher of the Year in 2010 and was then selected Secondary Teacher of the Year for the McAllen Independent School District and for Region One; in addition, she was instrumental in Memorial's receipt of a national College Board Honorable Mention Inspiration Award in 2009; and WHEREAS, Rachelle Grace has helped countless young Texans discover the joy of learning as they acquire the practical skills they need to become productive citizens of the Lone Star State, and she has set a standard of excellence to which all in her profession may aspire; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate Rachelle Grace of McAllen Memorial High School on her receipt of the 2011 H-E-B Excellence in Education Leadership Award in the secondary school category and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success in her vital endeavors; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Ms. Grace as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Gonzales of Hidalgo ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 54 was adopted by the House on June 28, 2011, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House