2023 -- H 6458

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LC003094

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING AND HONORING FORMER SUPERINTENDENT OF PAWTUCKET

PUBLIC SCHOOLS DR. CHERYL MCWILLIAMS ON HER RETIREMENT AFTER MORE

THAN TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE CHILDREN AND

THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET

     Introduced By: Representatives Felix, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Alzate, Stewart,
Kazarian, Shallcross Smith, Cruz, Messier, and Ajello

     Date Introduced: May 30, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Cheryl McWilliams was born in Pawtucket and lived in the City for more

than sixty years before moving to Seekonk. She attended Pawtucket public schools (as did her

children) and graduated from Tolman High School. Ms. McWilliams attained a Bachelor's degree

in Music from Rhode Island College in 1981, a Masters of Education in Music degree from

Rhode Island College in 1997, received her Certificate in Educational Administration from

Providence College's Continuing Education Program, and attained her Doctor of Education

degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Northeastern University in 2011; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. McWilliams began her distinguished education career in 1995, serving

as a substitute teacher with the Pawtucket School Department. She then attained a permanent

position with the Department as a music teacher, which she held for ten years, during which time

she brought the science, beauty and joy of music into children's lives, often introducing them to

music genres they had never before heard; and

     WHEREAS, In 2007, Dr. McWilliams began the administrative part of her career,

serving as the Principal of Potter Burns Elementary School for ten years. Thanks to her superb

leadership skills and tireless work ethic, she was elevated to the position of Assistant

Superintendent of Pawtucket Public Schools; and

     WHEREAS, In 2019, Dr. McWilliams was named as the Interim Superintendent, and in

February of 2020, was named Superintendent, a post she held until February of 2023. She was

admired for her visionary leadership, innovative approaches to education, and the strength and

determination she brought to work every day, fighting to ensure that every Pawtucket public

school student received a quality education and equal access to the American dream; and

     WHEREAS, Since March of 2023, Dr. McWilliams has served as the Continuous

Improvement Facilitator and Coach for the Center for Leadership and Educational Equity. Her

daily focus is on ensuring equitable outcomes for all students, securing meaningful professional

development opportunities for educators, and bringing people together to achieve common goals;

now, therefore be it

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

honors and congratulates Dr. Cheryl McWilliams on her retirement as Superintendent of the

Pawtucket School Department, after more than twenty-five years of dedicated and distinguished

service to the children and City of Pawtucket; 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 Dr. Cheryl McWilliams.

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LC003094

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