H.R. No. 330
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Shanna Peeples of Palo Duro High School in Amarillo
has been named the 2015 Texas Teacher of the Year, which is the
highest honor that can be bestowed upon a teacher in the state, and
she is one of four finalists for the National Teacher of the Year
award; and
WHEREAS, An English teacher who joined the faculty at Palo
Duro High in 2008, Ms. Peeples was also selected as the 2015 Texas
Secondary Teacher of the Year; she is an exceptionally skilled and
dedicated instructor, and she also serves as a compassionate mentor
to her students, drawing on her own experiences to help them
overcome obstacles; the chair of the English department, 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,
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, 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; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Shanna Peeples on her selection as
the 2015 Texas Teacher of the Year and finalist for National Teacher
of the Year and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued
success in her important endeavors; 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.
Price
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 330 was adopted by the House on
February 19, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House