SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 249 WHEREAS, Emily Ramirez of Lake Highlands High School in the Richardson Independent School District has been named the 2025 International Educator of the Year by the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth; and WHEREAS, This award recognizes teachers and administrators who go above and beyond their typical responsibilities in order to expand their students' knowledge of world affairs and increase opportunities for international learning; and WHEREAS, A distinguished educator with 13 years of experience, Ms. Ramirez currently teaches AP World History and Mexican American Studies at Lake Highlands High School; as the Junior World Affairs Council sponsor, she cocreated the Global Awareness Speaker Series, which brings experts in global health, international business, diplomacy, and human rights to the campus; she has also organized numerous supply drives and disaster relief initiatives, and she regularly mentors students during discussions of current events; and WHEREAS, Ms. Ramirez is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where she earned her bachelor's degree in political science, and she also holds a certificate in nonprofit management from Dallas College; among her many accomplishments, she was selected for a WACDFW travel fellowship to Morocco in 2019, and she was named the Teacher of the Year for her campus in 2022; in addition, a number of her students have been selected as recipients of the 20 Under 20 Award from the WACDFW, and the JWAC program at Lake Highlands has garnered several awards, including being ranked as a Top 10 JWAC for the past five years; and WHEREAS, By fostering global citizenship, academic excellence, and leadership skills, Emily Ramirez has benefited countless young Texans, and she is indeed deserving of this prestigious accolade; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby commend Emily Ramirez on her selection as the 2025 International Educator of the Year by the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth and extend to her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for Ms. Ramirez as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Johnson ________________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 13, 2025. ________________________________ Secretary of the Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate