Bill Text: MS HC106 | 2013 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Dr. Tom Burnham; commend career and service of upon the occasion of his retirement as State Superintendent of Public Education.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)
Status: (Passed) 2013-04-05 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC106 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-HC106-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Stringer, Brown (66th)
House Concurrent Resolution 106
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DEDICATED AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER OF EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE OF DR. TOM BURNHAM AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
WHEREAS, after a reputable career in education spanning some 43 plus years, as a classroom educator and administrator, Dr. Tom Burnham formally retired on June 30, 2012, after diligently having served a total of more than seven years as the State Superintendent of Public Education for the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, having a personal philosophy on educational administration deeply rooted in the belief that quality leadership is one of the critical elements of successful schools, Dr. Burnham maintains that effective, committed leadership coupled with outstanding teaching and learning processes will result in sustained academic achievement and promote successful schools that based on respecting and valuing the diversity of the individuals that comprise the organization, coupled with strong parent involvement, community support and high expectations will foster the highest levels of success; and
WHEREAS, a native of Puckett, Mississippi, Burnham initially concluded, as a green student a few weeks into classes at Hinds Community College, that college was not the appropriate fit for his life, however, after some wise counsel from his father, he resumed his course of study and took education by the reins, which proved not only to be a lucrative career move, but which also at that moment set into motion the development of an individual who would make notable strides in transforming the process of educating students and preparing those individuals charged with the critically necessary responsibility of teaching and administering the educational structure of the state's public school system; and
WHEREAS, though Burnham did not choose education, as he returned to Hinds Community College where he majored in business administration, it seems education chose him, upon leaving Hinds, Burnham attended Mississippi College, and during his senior year was encouraged by a counselor/mentor to look at teaching and do his student teaching so he could get his teaching certificate, as an option to fall back on; and
WHEREAS, having worked full time for Chevron while in college, with plans to continue his employment with the company after graduating in 1969, Burnham was quite surprised with his love of teaching and spent the next three years in the classroom in Pearl while earning his master's degree in school administration at Mississippi College, which was completed in 1975; and
WHEREAS, equipped with quite an extensive resume, Dr. Burnham, who earned both his education specialist and doctoral degrees from Delta State University in 1983 and 1985 respectively, in addition to his presence in the classroom setting at Pearl High School, has served as: Assistant Principal and transportation supervisor at McLaurin Junior High School in Florence, Mississippi; education specialist for Mississippi Educational Television; Assistant Dean for the Division of Continuing Education at Delta State University; Principal of Solomon Junior High School in Greenville, Mississippi; Principal of Biloxi High School in Biloxi, Mississippi; Superintendent of the Biloxi Public Schools; Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Education Initiative Consortium and adjunct professor at the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Campus; Superintendent of the Henderson County Public Schools in Hendersonville, North Carolina; and Dean of the School of Education at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss); and
WHEREAS, Dr. Burnham joined the leadership staff at Ole Miss as Dean of the School of Education and professor of curriculum and instruction in 2004, where in such capacity, he was responsible for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and the Department of Leadership and Counselor Education, as well as the Mississippi Teachers Corps, World Class Teaching Program, Mississippi Teacher Fellowship Program, Center for Educational Research and Evaluation and North Mississippi Education Consortium; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure at Ole Miss, Dr. Burnham personally secured grants of more than $4.5 million and successfully led the School of Education through its National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) continuing education accreditation process; and
WHEREAS, having first served as Mississippi's State Superintendent of Public Education from 1992 through 1997, it was his methodical and strategically analytical capabilities evidenced in his first service as State Superintendent, including heading the difficult process of establishing the Mississippi Adequate Education Program and formula, which launched his notable reputation as a foremost authority on educational leadership and curriculum development, which in turn repositioned him for his second appointment as State Superintendent in 2009; and
WHEREAS, quite accomplished in his professional achievements and implementation of policies, initiatives and programs in the various employment capacities he has been privileged to serve, Dr. Burnham has to his credit more than a dozen authored publications and seven regional and national presentations; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Burnham, during his career has served on numerous professional associations and committees, including the American Association of School Administrators and the Board of Examiners for the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and for his diligent commitment to the field of education has been honored with: the "Golden Lamp Award"; named as one of four semifinalists, for the Jay Robinson Leadership Award; presented the 2003 Phil Hardin Award for Distinguished Service to Education in Mississippi; named Distinguished Alumnus of Delta State University; bestowed an Honorary American Future Farmers of America Degree; named Outstanding Education Alumnus of Mississippi College; included in the American Association of School Administrators Leadership Program, The Future and America's Schools: Visioning for the 90s; presented the 1TV Researcher Award for Mississippi Educational Television; presented the 1984 Professional Development Award by the Southeastern Regional Association of Teacher Educators; and tapped as the STAR Teacher at Pearl High School; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor remarkably selfless and talented individuals, such as Dr. Burnham, whose career serves as an example to all citizens of the State of Mississippi and whose legacy of service is exemplified by fairness, perseverance and prudent judgment:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the dedicated and distinguished career of exceptional service of Dr. Tom Burnham, congratulate him upon his retirement as the State Superintendent of Public Education, express acknowledgment to him for the hard work, and many sacrifices he made to serve the people of our state and extend best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors in his new capacity as Director of the University of Mississippi's Principal Corps.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Burnham and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
