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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The State Board of Education presently gives out 
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an annual award, the Illinois Teacher of the Year Award, to 
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deserving educators who have proven themselves to be caring and 
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committed to bettering the lives of others through quality 
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education; and


 
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    WHEREAS,  Willard Carl Widerberg spent more than 30 years of 
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his life in teaching and school administration; he was called 
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to teaching at a very early age and has been credited with 
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building the foundation for numerous co-op, special education, 
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and school administrative programs still in use today; he 
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developed innovative educational and administrative programs 
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working for DeKalb Community Unit School District 428, the 
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United States military, and the National Science Program at 
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Northern Illinois University; and
 
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    WHEREAS,   Mr. Widerberg became an elementary school 
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principal in 1954; during the following years he served as 
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principal in several schools within DeKalb Community Unit 
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School District 428; during the summer months, he worked with 
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the National Science Program at Northern Illinois University, 
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which teaches new and existing elementary and high school 
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teachers nationwide the foundations of various science 
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disciplines; he also taught an Americanization class at De Kalb 
 


 






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High School for more than 10 years, working with immigrants 
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from numerous countries; and
 
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    WHEREAS, He retired in 1979 after 32 years in teaching and 
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administrative roles within DeKalb area schools; throughout 
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his career, he volunteered with numerous local and State 
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organizations focused on developing and enriching the 
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educational environment, as well as the community's wellbeing; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Widerberg received the very first Illinois 
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Teacher of the Year Award in 1954; in addition, that same year 
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he was the first Illinois teacher to be recognized as the 
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National Teacher of the Year; and


 
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    WHEREAS, Willard Carl Widerberg has proven over the years 
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that his heart is all about education; he has shown his 
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determination to teach, to lead, and to place others on a path 
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that pushes them towards a brighter future; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
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SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the State Board of 
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Education to rename the Illinois Teacher of the Year Award the 
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Willard Carl Widerberg Illinois Teacher of the Year Award in 
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honor of Mr. Widerberg's many achievements and dedication to 
 


 






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education in the State of Illinois; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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delivered to the State Board of Education.