By: Price H.C.R. No. 128
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHE
REAS, Shanna Peeples of the Amarillo Independent School
District has been named the 2015 National Teacher of the Year by the
Council of Chief State School Officers; and
WHEREAS, The chair of the English department at Palo Duro
High School, Ms. Peeples teaches AP English and English III; she
has distinguished herself through her exceptional dedication to
helping students from all backgrounds realize their full potential;
she also serves as a compassionate mentor to her students; she
further benefits the campus as an instructional coach, as National
Honor Society cosponsor, and as a member of the textbook adoption
committee and the D-FORCE positive behavioral support committee;
after school hours, she opens her classroom for use as a safe space
for informal writing and discussion groups; and
WHEREAS, This dynamic educator has been a member of the
Amarillo Independent School District English Language Arts
Standards committee since 2009; moreover, she has conducted
literacy workshops for K-12 teachers, and she has presented
numerous papers at staff development events and professional
conferences of organizations such as the National Council of
Teachers of English, the Texas Council of Teachers of English
Language Arts, and Abydos Learning International; in addition, she
is active in the wider community in initiatives that promote
literacy and the development of writing ability; and
WHEREAS, Before joining the faculty at Palo Duro High School,
Ms. Peeples taught seventh grade English Language Arts at Horace
Mann Middle School in Amarillo; she completed her bachelor's degree
in English at West Texas A&M University and went on to earn a
master's degree in education from The University of Texas at
Arlington, specializing in curriculum and instruction with an
emphasis in literacy studies; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Peeples works vigorously to understand the
challenges faced by each of her students and tailors the learning
environment to meet their needs; she uses these skills to guide the
college-bound, assist those who come from foreign nations and have
spent little time in classroom settings, and advises parents about
the importance of education to the future prospects of their
children; and
WHEREAS, It could be said that Ms. Peeples is in the hope
business; she assists students in coping with the trials of
adolescence by encouraging self-expression in writing exercises; a
kind and caring mentor, she devotes countless hours to advising
youngsters, and she conveys her respect for their traditions by
accepting invitations to cultural events; she was previously
selected as 2015 Texas Teacher of the Year and 2015 Region 16
Secondary Teacher of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Shanna Peeples is devoted to providing young Texans
with the knowledge and skills they need to realize their dreams, and
her passion, determination, and commitment to excellence are an
inspiration to her students and fellow educators alike; and
WHEREAS, In her role as National Teacher of the Year,
Ms. Peeples will travel extensively as a spokesperson for her
profession, sharing her knowledge, experience, and passion for
education to inspire her colleagues across the country; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby congratulate Shanna Peeples on her selection as the 2015
National Teacher of the Year and extend to her sincere best wishes
for continued success in her important work; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Peeples as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives and Senate.