HR0217 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0217 LRB103 31929 LAW 60651 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Briana Morales on being named the 2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE); and

WHEREAS, In the seventh grade, one of Briana Morales's teachers taught her coping skills and how to process pain through writing poetry, which inspired her to pursue a career in education; and

WHEREAS, Briana Morales received her Bachelor of Arts in English Teacher Education from St. Ambrose University and her Master of Education from the American College of Education; she is currently working on completing her Doctor of Education through the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and

WHEREAS, Briana Morales has taught at the Gordon Bush Alternative Center in East St. Louis School District 189 since 2018, inspiring her students while leading instruction in English and African American literature; and

WHEREAS, Briana Morales serves as a national senior research fellow with Teach Plus, where she focuses on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for students; and

WHEREAS, In 2019, Briana Morales co-directed a student-led initiative to teach nonviolence principles to youth in the Orr-Weathers housing development, supporting her teen leaders to earn a national certification as Peace Warriors; and

WHEREAS, Briana Morales is an active member of her community and a caring foster parent to a 16 year old; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Briana Morales on being named the 2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE); and be it further

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