2020 -- H 7602

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LC004371

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING JENNIFER PAOLANTONIO ON BEING A 2019-2020 RECIPIENT OF

THE MILKEN EDUCATOR AWARD

     Introduced By: Representatives Hawkins, Mattiello, Shekarchi, Chippendale, and
Ruggiero

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2020

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Milken Educator Award, established in 1985 and first awarded in 1987,

is an initiative of the Milken Family Foundation that honors highly successful teachers and

provides each of the honorees with a $25,000 unrestricted cash grant. Teacher magazine has

proclaimed the Milken Educator Award to be the “Oscars of Teaching”; and

     WHEREAS, The award is given at “surprise ceremonies” in which the recipient is

“ambushed” at school and publicly honored with the award. Approximately thirty to forty

teachers receive the award annually and since 1987, more than 2,600 teachers have been honored;

and

     WHEREAS, In recognition of her devotion to the teaching profession and her immense

success in educating children with diverse learning needs, Jennifer Paolantonio, a Special

Education teacher at Ponaganset High School has been named a 2019-2020 Milken Educator

Award winner; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Paolantonio earned her Bachelor's degree in Special Education from

Rhode Island College and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Literacy from Providence

College; and

     WHEREAS, As a champion for inclusion, Ms. Paolantonio has instilled an attitude of

acceptance and support for the integration of special education students into all the school's

educational settings as well as its social aspects and events, thereby opening the minds and future

potential for all the school's students; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Paolantonio's creativity in building an inclusive school atmosphere

begins each year with the school's assembly, where all the school's student wear "I Choose to

Include" t-shirts. In addition, she welcomes her colleagues into her classroom to learn how to

modify their curriculum and activities to be more inclusive. She is also very active in the Rhode

Island Special Olympics, traveling to various events with students, and has helped to organize

myriad schoolwide and community events; and

     WHEREAS, Jennifer Paolantonio's inclusive and all-encompassing approach to

education imparts a crucial contribution not only to the well-being and success of her students,

but also to the entire school population. Her efforts have had a positive impact on her students’

education and have certainly qualified her as one of the “best of the best” in the country; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Jennifer Paolantonio on being a 2019-2020 recipient

of the Milken Educator Award. We moreover thank her for her devotion to the betterment of all

students and extend our best wishes for her continued success; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Ms. Jennifer Paolantonio.

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LC004371

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