S*0369 Resolution, By Leatherman
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE MRS. BECKY COOPER OF FLORENCE ON
 BEING NAMED THE 2011 VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS NATIONAL CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION
 TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

   01/18/11  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 2)

TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE MRS. BECKY COOPER OF FLORENCE ON BEING NAMED THE 2011 VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS NATIONAL CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

Whereas, in January 2011, Mrs. Becky Cooper was honored to be named the 2011 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year and she will soon travel to Washington, D.C. to attend a VFW conference and compete for National Teacher of the Year; and

Whereas, each year three exceptional teachers are recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for their outstanding commitment to teach Americanism and patriotism to their students. The VFW annually recognizes the nation's top classroom elementary, junior high, and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics and promote America's history, traditions, and institutions effectively; and

Whereas, located in Washington, D.C., Veterans of Foreign Wars monitors all legislation affecting veterans and continuously advocates on veterans' behalf. By testifying at committee hearings and interacting with congressional members, the VFW has played an instrumental role in nearly every piece of veterans legislation passed in the 20th century, as well as bills developed in the 21st; and

Whereas, Mrs. Cooper has been a high school social studies teacher at South Florence High School since 1992. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with a Minor in U.S. History from Francis Marion College in 1988 and her Masters of Education degree in Secondary Social Studies from Francis Marion in 1997; and

Whereas, in 2008, Mrs. Cooper became a National Board Certified Teacher of Adolescent and Young Adult History; and

Whereas, currently Mrs. Cooper also teaches United State History and Geography & World Cultures with the South Carolina Virtual Charter School, an on-line teaching source for high school students; and

Whereas, Mrs. Cooper has received numerous honors and is involved in several activities at her school including the 2010 Adjunct teacher of U.S. History; American Government, Geography and World Cultures for S.C. Virtual Charter School; Selective Service Registrar for South Florence High School (1993-present); Voter Registrar for South Florence High School (1993-present); High School Representative on the S.C. Council for the Social Studies (2007-2009); S.C. State Department of Education's S3 curriculum to develop lessons for the new U.S. History EOCEP (2007-2008); Student Government Association (1994-present); Service Learning Curriculum; Student Leadership Curriculum; ADEPT Evaluator (1999- present); SAFE-T Evaluator (2009-present); Lead Teacher of Technology (1998-2005); Red Carpet, Scholarship, Advisory, Technology, and Social Studies Curriculum; South Florence Teacher of the Year (2007-2008); Florence District One Honor Roll Teacher (2007-2008); and

Whereas, outside of her classroom, Mrs. Cooper has been an avid Group Fitness Instructor at McLeod Health and Fitness Center since 1995 and she was part of Leadership Florence sponsored by Florence Chamber of Commerce from 2007-2008; and

Whereas, Lisa Grice, her former department chair and current principal-supervisor says of her, "She goes above and beyond. Kids learn, and enjoy, and appreciate the content because she makes it interesting"; and

Whereas, Mrs. Cooper coordinates many student-led initiatives that build student responsibility and contribute to local community needs. Just some of the initiatives she has coordinated in the past twelve months include two blood drives; canned goods collections; Humane Society volunteers and fundraiser; phone workers for McLeod's Children Hospital radio-a-thon; helpers for APTS Homecoming dance fundraiser; custodial and cafeteria staff for Thanksgiving meals; Special Olympics student volunteers; Relay for Life sponsorship; Kiss the Seniors "Fairwell" fundraiser; and Darlington Race Track charity concession workers; and

Whereas, Mrs. Cooper also promotes national and global citizenship through the     "Hope for Haiti" benefit; school videos promoting Constitution Week;     fundraiser for Darfur; and registration for selective services of all males on campus 17 and older; and

Whereas, Mrs. Cooper embodies school spirit, patriotism, and character. Her response when asked why she does all this? "I love my school, and I love the students"; and

Whereas, it is fitting and proper for the members of the Senate to recognize the great accomplishments of this daughter of South Carolina. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, honor and congratulate Mrs. Becky Cooper of Florence on being named the 2011 VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mrs. Becky Cooper and to South Florence High School.