HJ0099 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0099 LRB095 15736 NHT 45579 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State Board of Education presently gives out an annual award, the Illinois Teacher of the Year Award, to deserving educators who have proven themselves to be caring and committed to bettering the lives of others through quality education; and

WHEREAS, Willard Carl Widerberg spent more than 30 years of his life in teaching and school administration; he was called to teaching at a very early age and has been credited with building the foundation for numerous co-op, special education, and school administrative programs still in use today; he developed innovative educational and administrative programs working for DeKalb Community Unit School District 428, the United States military, and the National Science Program at Northern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Widerberg became an elementary school principal in 1954; during the following years he served as principal in several schools within DeKalb Community Unit School District 428; during the summer months, he worked with the National Science Program at Northern Illinois University, which teaches new and existing elementary and high school teachers nationwide the foundations of various science disciplines; he also taught an Americanization class at De Kalb High School for more than 10 years, working with immigrants from numerous countries; and

WHEREAS, He retired in 1979 after 32 years in teaching and administrative roles within DeKalb area schools; throughout his career, he volunteered with numerous local and State organizations focused on developing and enriching the educational environment, as well as the community's wellbeing; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Widerberg received the very first Illinois Teacher of the Year Award in 1954; in addition, that same year he was the first Illinois teacher to be recognized as the National Teacher of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Willard Carl Widerberg has proven over the years that his heart is all about education; he has shown his determination to teach, to lead, and to place others on a path that pushes them towards a brighter future; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the State Board of Education to rename the Illinois Teacher of the Year Award the Willard Carl Widerberg Illinois Teacher of the Year Award in honor of Mr. Widerberg's many achievements and dedication to education in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the State Board of Education.