2024 -- H 8328

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LC006230

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING MILISSA O'NEIL ON BEING SELECTED AS THE 2024-2025 RHODE

ISLAND "TEACHER OF THE YEAR"

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Solomon, Vella-Wilkinson,
Shanley, Bennett, McNamara, Casey, Chippendale, and Tanzi

     Date Introduced: June 04, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, "The future," in the wise words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "belongs to those who

believe in the beauty of their dreams." Milissa O'Neil, an elementary and special educator at

Oakland Beach Elementary School, inspires her students to envision the possibilities, to have

confidence in themselves and their abilities, and to believe in a future full of promise; and

     WHEREAS, For her joyous dedication to her students and education, Ms. O'Neil has

been named Rhode Island's 2024-2025 "Teacher of the Year". This recognition is a momentous

tribute to an exceptional individual who has had a significant and profound impact on the lives of

her students; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. O'Neil attained her Bachelor's degree in Education from Wheelock

College and Early Childhood Special Education certifications from Rhode Island College and

Providence College. She also holds a PreK-2 Early Childhood Certification from the Community

College of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Twenty years ago, Ms. O'Neil began her career in education as an early

childhood educator before joining Warwick Public Schools fulltime in 2014, as an elementary

and special educator. Over the past six years, she has taught kindergarten at Oakland Beach

Elementary School; and

     WHEREAS, A true and proven champion of education, in addition to her classroom

teaching Ms. O'Neil has been an advocate for STEAM education, is a member of the RIDE

STEAM Advisory Board, serves as a Teacher Leader within GEMS-Net, serves on the executive

committee of the Oakland Beach Parent Teachers Organization, is chairperson of the Oakland

Beach Green Team, and serves students through the Learn365 program at the Warwick Boys and

Girls Club; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. O'Neil has been lauded as "a strong advocate for social emotional

learning, cultivating an atmosphere she and her students fondly call a "school family," where each

member assumes a pivotal role in both learning and classroom management"; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. O'Neil's genuine love of teaching has not only helped hundreds of

children to succeed, but has earned her the praise and admiration of her peers and has certainly

qualified her as one of the "best of the best" in the State. Her dedication and expertise have been

tremendous assets to the entire school community and have wholly distinguished her as a person

worthy of our praise and admiration; now, therefore be it

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

congratulates Milissa O'Neil on the prestigious honor of being named the 2024-2025 Rhode

Island "Teacher of the Year." We moreover wish her the very best of health and happiness in all

her future endeavors; 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. Milissa O'Neil.

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