SR0795 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0795 LRB096 22068 GRL 40536 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Tara Feldman, who passed away on April 9, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Tara Feldman was born on July 4, 1975; she was the loving mother of 3 children, Travis, Leo, and Maya, and Kona the dog; the loving sister of Dustin, Mike and Kori; and the beloved daughter of Alan and Joyci Feldman; and

WHEREAS, Tara Feldman graduated from Butler Junior High in Oak Brook in 1989 and from Downers Grove North High School in 1993; and

WHEREAS, Tara Feldman's extensive academic background included a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a Master of Arts degree in teaching from Tufts University; she also held adjunct faculty status at Aurora University and the Miami University of Ohio; and

WHEREAS, Tara Feldman launched her career in education and science as an intern at the Museum of Science in Boston; she subsequently worked as a science and math teacher at Beacon High School in Brookline, Massachusetts and as a science editor at Pearson Prentice Hall and Scott Foresman; and

WHEREAS, Tara Feldman was an artist who loved to paint, draw, and create; she was also a self-proclaimed "science nerd" who enjoyed watching the Discovery Channel and learning about animals; and

WHEREAS, Tara Feldman was a remarkable young woman whose moral compass was pointed in the right direction toward helping and inspiring people; and

WHEREAS, Through her work at the Chicago Zoological Society, Tara Feldman had a real and tangible impact in the lives of students with disabilities, Chicago Public School teachers, and young and aspiring biologists, scientists, and conservationists; and

WHEREAS, Tara Feldman understood that the conservation movement must speak to and hear from all ages, ethnicities, educational and socioeconomic levels, and abilities; she developed award-winning conservation leadership programs at Brookfield Zoo around that notion; and

WHEREAS, Tara Feldman's initial work at Brookfield Zoo focused on the education and empowerment of students with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Because of her interest and experience in the special education field, Tara Feldman first worked at Brookfield Zoo as an instructor with "Every Student is a Scientist", an inclusive educational program for students with disabilities that utilizes interactive tablet PCs and hands-on learning activities that are focused on conservation; and

WHEREAS, Building off of her success with "Every Student is a Scientist", Tara Feldman worked with students with disabilities from Riverside-Brookfield High School, where she coached them on their soft skills and time management; she then placed them in volunteer and employment positions at the zoo while showering them with love, praise, and continued support; and

WHEREAS, Tara Feldman then paired up with another member of the Brookfield Zoo family, Agnes Kovacs, and launched the Chicago Zoological Society's comprehensive science training program for Chicago Public School partners; and

WHEREAS, Tara Feldman not only launched the Levels of Engagement teacher training program, but nurtured and developed it into a national model that was conferred with a national education award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago Public School teachers and principals with whom Tara Feldman worked can attest to her brilliance, creativity, and passion; and

WHEREAS, Tara Feldman went on to create the summer Science Fair Boot Camps, in addition to Science Fairs for Chicago Public Schools, to give Chicago Public School teachers and students the opportunity to improve their understanding and development in the inquiry process; and

WHEREAS, Tara Feldman helped re-shape and re-launch the Classroom Connections classes at Brookfield Zoo, having helped create over a dozen classes that were participatory, student-centered, and inquiry-based, with more than 20,000 students participating in these classes annually; and

WHEREAS, Tara Feldman worked tirelessly to make informal science learning fun and accessible for students, families, and teachers, working to expand the role of informal environments in educating students and adults about science; and

WHEREAS, Because of Tara Feldman's hard work and dedication, there are 3rd grade students who understand complex terms like "habitat restoration" and "deforestation" and who see themselves as conservation leaders; there are also many teachers who have improved their ability to teach and reach students and improve science learning through inquiry-based teaching tools; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Tara Feldman; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Tara Feldman as an expression of our sympathy.