H*3873 Resolution, By Hagood, Limehouse and Merrill
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE CAROL OLNEY OF WHITESIDES
 ELEMENTARY IN MOUNT PLEASANT FOR BEING NAMED PHI BETA KAPPA AND WAL-MART'S
 2004 LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR, AND EXTENDING SINCERE
 APPRECIATION FOR HER OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO SPECIAL
 EDUCATION NEEDS IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

   04/06/05  House  Introduced and adopted HJ-39

TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE CAROL OLNEY OF WHITESIDES ELEMENTARY IN MOUNT PLEASANT FOR BEING NAMED PHI BETA KAPPA AND WAL-MART'S 2004 LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR, AND EXTENDING SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR HER OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the members of the House of Representative were delighted to learn that Whitesides Elementary School special education teacher Carol Olney was named Phi Beta Kappa and Wal-Mart's 2004 Local, State, and National Teacher of the Year on Tuesday, November 9, 2004; and

Whereas, Mrs. Olney was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Westchester University and a Master's degree in Special Education from Trenton State University; and

Whereas, Mrs. Olney began her teaching career in 1968 in the field of health and physical education. She later taught orthopedically impaired children in Pennsylvania for eighteen years before finding her way to Charleston County; and

Whereas, her arrival in Charleston County in 1992 marked the beginning of a great blessing for the School District and its students. She first taught orthopedically impaired students at Hunley Park Elementary and North Charleston High School before coming to Whitesides Elementary School; and

Whereas, Mrs. Olney's commitment to her students, and the greater cause of special needs education, is evidenced by her numerous contributions outside the classroom and award recognition; and

Whereas, she was named Civitan Teacher of The Year in 1998 and in 2000 by the Coalition for People with Disabilities and, as a national board certified special needs teacher, has written and received numerous grants to further expand the horizons of her students to such activities as adaptive water skiing, horseback riding, and music therapy; and

Whereas, Mrs. Olney even serves as a special education consultant for NASA, which entails the review and testing of resources, materials, and facilities to ensure NASA is user friendly for people with special needs; and

Whereas, her recent distinction earned Whitesides Elementary a $25,000 grant from Wal-Mart in addition to the $11,000 it received for Mrs. Olney's selection as local and state winner in the competition; and

Whereas, while educational statistics may cast a negative light on the achievements of a community or state, the members of the House of Representatives are proud to honor Carol Olney who reminds us that the enlightenment of children, and the challenge of enriching their lives, cannot be judged by mere numbers. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives honor and congratulate Mrs. Carol Olney of Whitesides Elementary School in Mount Pleasant for being named Phi Beta Kappa and Wal-Mart's 2004 Local, State, and National Teacher of the Year and extend their sincere appreciation for her outstanding leadership and many contributions to special education needs in South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Carol Olney.