HR1168 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1168 LRB096 22038 GRL 40393 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Dr. Robert S. Nielson on the occasion of his retirement as the Superintendent of Schools for Bloomington Public School District 87 on June 30, 2010 after 33 years of dedicated service to Illinois citizens; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Nielson earned his bachelor's degree from Northeastern Illinois University in 1976, his master's degree from Northeastern Illinois University in 1979, his Advanced Certificate in Educational Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1986, and his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1993; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Nielson began his professional career as a social studies teacher and coach of football and boys' basketball at Maine East High School in Park Ridge from 1977 to 1979; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Nielson successfully taught social studies to at-risk students at Downers Grove South High School from 1979 to 1986; during this time, he served in positions with the Downers Grove South Education Association and the Principal Advisory Committee and coached football and girls' basketball; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Nielson further dedicated himself to the education of Illinois citizens by serving as Division Leader for Foreign Language, Social Studies, Physical Education, and Health at Crete-Monee High School in Crete, Illinois, where he supported his fellow educators among school administration and worked in the development of the school curriculum; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Nielson continued serving the diverse student population of Crete-Monee High School as Associate Principal from 1989 to 1991, by overseeing the advancement of curriculum and educational development while maintaining the daily functioning of the school body; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Nielson went on to serve as Principal for the students and staff of Urbana High School from 1991 to 1993, where he dedicated himself to maximizing the personal success of each student, faculty member, and staff member, while garnering the involvement of parents; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Nielson continued to serve Urbana School District 116 as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction from 1993 to 1998, where he coordinated and supervised community partnerships, school improvements, and administration and staff development, while developing a curriculum to ensure the success of a student population with varied and specialized needs; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Nielson has served as Superintendent of Schools for Bloomington Public School District 87 since 1998, where he has provided over 12 years of leadership and support for the students, faculty, staff, parents, and community leaders of Bloomington; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Nielson has been the recipient of many distinguished recognitions and awards for his dedication as an educator and community member, including the Illinois Association of School Administrators' Illinois Superintendent of the Year Award, the Van Miller Distinguished Scholar-Practitioner Award from the Illinois Association of School Administrators and the University of Illinois Department of Education, the Illinois State Board of Education Those Who Excel Award, the Evelyn Cobb Service Award from the McLean County Community COMPACT, and the University of Illinois Education Administration Alumni Association Distinguished Achievement Award; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Nielson has served the State and his community in numerous capacities, such as former President for the Large Unit District Association, Chairman of the State Accountability Appeals Committee, member of the Governor's Education Task Force, member of the Council of Chief State School Officers Formative Assessment Advisory Group, Illinois Delegate to the Education Commission of the States, and member of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago Task Force on Teacher Education and Professional Development; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Nielson has contributed to many publications and presentations and has joined in numerous professional associations, which has furthered the success of educating Illinois citizens; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Nielson has served his community, his profession, and the State of Illinois with intelligence, dedication, and the high integrity; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dr. Robert S. Nielson on the occasion of his retirement and wish him many happy and healthy retirement years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Robert Nielson as a symbol of our esteem and respect.