Mississippi HC 64: Laura Bivins; commend and congratulate upon winning the U.S. Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science.

Bill Text

H. C. R. No. 64 *HR31/R2186* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2022

By: Representative Gunn

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 64

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HONORING AND CONGRATULATING ESTEEMED 1
EDUCATOR AND BELOVED KINDERGARTEN MATH TEACHER MS. LAURA BIVINS OF 2
ANN SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN MADISON COUNTY FOR WINNING THE 3
UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS AND 4
SCIENCE TEACHING, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARD OF ITS KIND FROM THE 5
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. 6
WHEREAS, Laura Bivins, beloved kindergarten math teacher of 7
Ann E. Smith Elementary School, has earned and been awarded the 8
United States Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and 9
Science Teaching, and was one of only two teachers chosen in the 10
State of Mississippi for this prestigious honor; and 11
WHEREAS, the United States Presidential Award is the highest 12
award earned from the United States government, and is awarded to 13
the best of the best kindergarten through 12th grade educators in 14
mathematics and science representing schools and organizations 15
from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Department of 16
Defense Education Activity (DODEA) schools, and the United States 17
territories; and 18
WHEREAS, Laura Bivins is a passionate early childhood 19
educator, who has been a kindergarten teacher for 28 consecutive 20

H. C. R. No. 64 *HR31/R2186* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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years, and still utilizes the best teaching practices to create 21
interactive teaching methods that stimulate the academic 22
development of her students; and 23
WHEREAS, her engaging teaching techniques were extremely 24
beneficial as she endured a rigorous application process that 25
required her to demonstrate a deep knowledge of content and her 26
ability to adapt to a broad range of learners and teaching 27
environments; and 28
WHEREAS, Laura is a National Board Certified Early Childhood 29
Generalist, who earned her bachelor of science in elementary 30
education with a concentration in kindergarten through eighth 31
grade remedial reading and her master's of education in elementary 32
education from Mississippi College; and 33
WHEREAS, only gifted educators such as Laura reach the 34
nominee stage because it requires completion of a successful 35
assessment by a panel of distinguished state and national 36
mathematicians, scientists and educators in order to qualify for a 37
recommendation as a nominee to the White House Office of Science 38
and Technology Policy (OSTP); and 39
WHEREAS, not only does this award carry great scholarly 40
recognition, but each award recipient also receives a certificate 41
signed by the President of the United States and a $10,000 award 42
from the National Science Foundation; and 43
WHEREAS, although this award is Laura's highest professional 44
honor yet, in 2018, she was awarded the Madison County Elementary 45

H. C. R. No. 64 *HR31/R2186* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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ST: Laura Bivins; commend and congratulate upon
winning the U.S. Presidential Award for
Excellence in Mathematics and Science.
Teacher of the Year and the Ann E. Smith Elementary Teacher of the 46
Year; and 47
WHEREAS, Laura expressed her gratitude by stating, "The 48
Presidential Award is an incredible honor, and validates the time 49
and energy I've put into understanding and implementing 50
mathematics in my classroom. It is simply amazing to be 51
recognized for doing what I love best, educating young children! 52
I strive to build a community of learners within which my students 53
can be confident problem solvers. I am excited to share this 54
award with my colleagues and my family, all of whom have supported 55
my career and my passion for being a lifelong learner"; and 56
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to celebrate 57
the accomplishments of fine educators such as Ms. Laura Bivins, 58
who not only enhance the minds of our youth, but bring great pride 59
and recognition to our state: 60
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 61
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING 62
THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate esteemed 63
educator and beloved kindergarten teacher, Ms. Laura Bivins, on 64
winning the United States Presidential Award For Excellence in 65
Mathematics and Science Teaching. 66
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 67
furnished to Ms. Laura Bivins, the principal at Ann E. Smith 68
Elementary School and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps. 69