A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Nicole M. Barker, a STEM teacher at Deerfield Elementary School in Lexington School District One, AND TO CONGRATULATE HER FOR BEING NAMED THE SCHOOL'S 2023-2024 TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that Nicole Barker has been named the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year at Deerfield Elementary School in Lexington School District One; and

Whereas, intended to showcase outstanding professional educators who exemplify the ideals of the educational profession and whose efforts and example have inspired others, the Teacher of the Year Program recognizes teachers who demonstrate exemplary leadership and excellence in teaching; and

Whereas, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ms. Barker earned a bachelor's degree in education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree from Walden University in curriculum, instruction, and assessment; and

Whereas, she began her career as an educator teaching second grade at Saluda Primary School from 2004 to 2008.  She taught fourth grade from 2008 to 2010 and second grade from 2010 to 2014, both at Saxe Gotha Elementary School.  Since then, she has served as a second grade teacher and the STEM teacher at Deerfield Elementary School; and

Whereas, Ms. Barker has also served as the head coach for the Hard Run team at Deerfield Elementary, helping to train students for the 5K race in the fall and the spring in the Midlands.  She serves as Deerfield's LEAP representative and as the school's co-chair for the Relay for Life; and

Whereas, together with her beloved husband, Wayne, she is rearing two fine children, Layla and Brooke.  They are faithful members of Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church, and she plans to join the young adults' ministry mission trip to Colorado Springs in June 2023 to partner with Next Step Ministry in building and constructing homes for people in need; and 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives value the work of dedicated educators in the Palmetto State, who devote themselves to our youth by helping them to prepare to become productive citizens, and especially teachers like Nicole Barker, whose outstanding service has been honored by her fellow teachers.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Nicole M. Barker, a STEM teacher at Deerfield Elementary School in Lexington School District One, and congratulate her for being named the school's 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Nicole M. Barker.

----XX----