HR0525 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0525 LRB095 12463 GRL 37600 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Shirley LeClere on the occasion of her retirement from Nicholson Elementary School and on her new position at the Regional Office of Education of Kane County; and

WHEREAS, Shirley LeClere was born in Chicago; she was one of six children; and

WHEREAS, Shirley LeClere attended college at Waubonsee Community College, where she took early childhood classes; while at WCC, she worked as a Head Start teacher assistant, then progressed through the ranks to become a Lead Teacher, Center Director, Parent Coordinator, and Head Start Director; she then transferred to Aurora College, where she earned her B.A. in education in 1983; after graduating she left the Head Start Program to begin interviewing for a public school position; on Father's Day weekend in June 1983, she was called to interview at Smith Elementary School; for the next several years she taught third and fourth grades before being asked to move to a kindergarten teaching position; and

WHEREAS, After a couple of years Shirley LeClere was asked to work as a part time Kindergarten/Administrative Assistant; instead of taking the position, she went back to school to get her M.A. in education with a minor in Gifted Education, which she earned in 1988; she continued her education by getting certified as an Administrator; she became Principal of Smith Elementary in 1994; she remained at Smith Elementary until her move to Nicholson Elementary School in 2002; while at Nicholson, under her leadership, the school was designated by the State as a Spotlight School for Achievement and Academic Performance; she was principal of Nicholson until 2007, when she accepted a position at the Regional Office of Education of Kane County; and

WHEREAS, Shirley LeClere has maintained an active involvement in her community; she is a member of the Districts Pro Gro Committee; she is a TESA trainer; she has been an Even Start teacher and director; she hosted the 1st annual District 129 reading symposium; she has been involved with the Golden Oaks Supervisory Board; she hosted the 1st annual Health Awareness Fair; she has been the director of the City of Aurora Summer School Program; she is a member of Phi Beta Kappa; she is a member of ASCD; she has been a Coordinator of the TAOEP; she is a Golden Apple recipient; she received a Kane County Nomination for Educator of the Year; and she has been an Aurora University Adjunct Professor in the MARI program; and

WHEREAS, Shirley LeClere's dedication to her profession and triumph over personal adversity are truly a model for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Shirley LeClere on her retirement from Nicholson Elementary School and on her new position at the Regional Office of Education of Kane County, and wish her continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Shirley LeClere as a symbol of our esteem and respect.