HR0876 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0876 LRB102 27982 LAW 39781 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Christine Zelenka, Ed.D. on the occasion of her retirement as principal of John B. Murphy Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Zelenka is retiring after leading John B. Murphy Elementary School for over 14 years, making her only the eighth principal in the school's almost 100-year history of serving the children of Irving Park; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Zelenka received her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education & Teaching from the University of Michigan; she received her Master of Education in Education Leadership & Administration from National Louis University; she earned her Doctor of Education in Urban Education Leadership from the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Zelenka began her distinguished career with Chicago Public Schools as a classroom teacher at Onahan Elementary School in 1988; she became assistant principal of John B. Murphy Elementary School in 1997; she was selected to become principal by the Local School Council in 2008; and

WHEREAS, During her tenure at John B. Murphy Elementary School (Murphy), Dr. Zelenka has hosted developing resident principals as they completed principal readiness training at Chicago Public Schools, woven social and emotional learning (SEL) into Murphy's school culture by sustaining a 25-year practice of Responsive Classroom and close affiliation with CASEL, championed the return of middle school and building out of Pre-K programming to ensure that Murphy provides an inspiring and encouraging learning environment for all neighborhood children in grades Pre-K through 8th, led the school's Fine & Performing Arts magnet cluster program to ensure that all students experience the arts, and fostered community and ritual as part of school-life through annual traditions, including Career Day, the Spelling Bee, Bike-Fix-It Day, Twins Day, History Fair, Clothes Swap, and the Oceanarium; she also oversaw the recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty in addition to the renovation of Murphy's gymnasium, stage, and outdoor gardens; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Zelenka has not only devoted herself to the development of John B. Murphy Elementary School's students but also the parents and the community at large; she identified and encouraged parent leaders to serve as advocates, educators, and organizers within the school community; she built relationships, hosted events, and provided resources to community members and groups; more recently, she kept students and the community safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, school-reopening, and ongoing recovery response; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Zelenka has served on National Louis University's Teacher Preparation Advisory Board for 8 years, where she is a strong advocate for authentic and effective teacher preparation that meets the needs of today's young people, particularly in urban environments; she also served as a first-year principal mentor for new principals at Chicago Public Schools as they took on full administrative responsibility while leading their new schools; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Zelenka has been noted for excelling as a transparent, accessible, and empathetic communicator at all times; she has also inspired generations of students, families, and neighbors by modeling positivity, resilience, and inclusion; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Zelenka and her husband, Rich, have two children, Phil and Beth; her parents live in the neighborhood, and she regularly cares for them and their interests; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Christine Zelenka, Ed.D., on her retirement as principal of John B. Murphy Elementary School, thank her for her dedication to the students and the community, and wish her success in her future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Zelenka as an expression of our esteem and respect.