TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR LIZZIE PADGET UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS AS AN EDUCATOR IN RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT TWO, AND TO WISH HER MANY YEARS OF CONTINUED HEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to learn that Lizzie Padget will be honored for her many years of service in Richland School District Two after a performance of Seussical the Musical on Friday, February 17, 2012; and

Whereas, born in Columbia on March 30, 1951, she earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of South Carolina, as well as a master's in reading, a masters' plus thirty in guidance, and certification in library-media science; and

Whereas, in 1973, she began her career at E. L. Wright Middle School, where she taught reading and established the Title I Reading Lab; and

Whereas, she taught a course in exploratory arts and then ALERT (Active Learning Experiences in Resourceful Thinking), and she was only the fifth ALERT teacher in Richland School District Two; and

Whereas, in 1988, she moved to Forest Lake Elementary School with the ALERT program and became the media specialist for the school, and in 2003, she earned the prestigious National Board Certification; and

Whereas, she was named Teacher of the Year for 1990-1991 in Richland District Two and the 2004-2005 Media Specialist of the Year for the South Carolina Association of School Librarians, and she received a commendation from the ALERT Parent-Advisory Council in 1993 and the Richland District Two Culture of Excellence Award in 2005; and

Whereas, she is a dedicated member of Ebenezer Lutheran Church where she serves as the church librarian, and she is a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional honorary society for women educators; and

Whereas, in her retirement, she hopes to spend more time traveling; visiting her children, Anna, Adam, and Emily; and mentoring students at Forest Lake Elementary School; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are grateful for the years of loyalty and devotion that Lizzie Padget has tirelessly given to educating the young minds of our State, and they wish her much joy and fulfillment in her well-deserved retirement. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Lizzie Padget upon the occasion of her retirement after thirty-eight years as an educator in Richland School District Two, and wish her many years of continued health and happiness in all her future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Lizzie Padget.