HR0286 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0286 LRB103 32351 LAW 61735 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Rebecca Hermann, a computer science teacher at John M. Palmer Elementary School, on the occasion of being named a 2023 Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Award recipient; and

WHEREAS, The Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Awards celebrate teachers who work diligently to help students discover the possibilities that computer science and robotics bring for the future; in addition to being formally recognized, award recipients receive $25,000 to expand computer science or robotics education at their school; and

WHEREAS, Teachers are selected for demonstrating a dedication to educational equity in underserved communities, their commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within computer science education, and displaying instructional excellence and a record of student achievement; and

WHEREAS, Rebecca Hermann is one of ten teachers recognized this year, and she is the only teacher selected from the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Rebecca Hermann, an alumna of Palmer Elementary herself, has been teaching at the school since 2012; as part of the award, she has committed to remain at Palmer Elementary and teach computer science or robotics for the 2023-2024 school year; and

WHEREAS, For Rebecca Hermann, receiving the Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Award is not the first time her dedication to her students has been acknowledged; in 2019, she was one of 16 teachers honored by the Chicago Bears and Symetra with a Heroes in the Classroom Award, which recognizes teachers for their ability to balance the core curriculum with students' individual needs, invest in their long term success, and build trust among students, parents, and the community; and

WHEREAS, Rebecca Hermann has been the embodiment of Palmer Elementary's mission of empowering students to find value in their individuality and sharing their talents within the community, not only by employing lessons on technical instruction such as 3-D printing, circuit board building, and robotics but also by ensuring her students understand digital citizenship and their role in using technology now and in the future; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Rebecca Hermann on being named a 2023 Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Award recipient, and we thank her for her dedication to the students at John M. Palmer Elementary School; and be it further

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