WHEREAS, Liza Burrell-Aldana, an outstanding educator and school administrator who has gone above and beyond to create an engaging, supportive, and safe learning environment at Mount Vernon Community School, was selected as the 2023 Principal of the Year by The Washington Post; and

WHEREAS, Liza Burrell-Aldana was selected for her work to enhance Mount Vernon Community School's curriculum while developing innovative learning programs and guiding critical enhancements to the school building, which is the oldest in the district; she was one of 16 finalists from schools in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., to be considered for the prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, Liza Burrell-Aldana was born in Colombia, where she began her teaching career after she graduated college; she subsequently earned a scholarship to pursue her master's degree at the School for International Training in Vermont, then relocated to the Commonwealth, where she taught at a private school in Vienna; and

WHEREAS, after becoming a United States citizen, Liza Burrell-Aldana began working in public education; she joined Mount Vernon Community School as the assistant principal in 2014, then became principal in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Liza Burrell-Aldana has created a culture that emphasizes professional development for teachers, while maintaining a high level of staff retention, and sets high academic expectations for students; her efforts have led to a revamped science curriculum and an increase in math test scores; and

WHEREAS, Liza Burrell-Aldana has led Mount Vernon Community School to become the first English-Spanish dual language immersion school in an effort to better support the school's large Hispanic population, and she has helped increase referrals of Hispanic and Black students from across the district to gifted and talented programs; and

WHEREAS, Liza Burrell-Aldana has managed successful projects to remove mold and asbestos from Mount Vernon Community School, as well as to repair the roof and renovate the playground, cafeteria, and library; and

WHEREAS, Liza Burrell-Aldana has earned the trust and admiration of faculty and parents for her clear, informative, and effective communication style, especially during building renovations, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other challenging circumstances; and

WHEREAS, Liza Burrell-Aldana has touched countless young lives throughout the Alexandria community through her commitment to core academics and passion for creating new and innovative learning opportunities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Liza Burrell-Aldana hereby be commended on her selection as the 2023 Principal of the Year by The Washington Post; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Liza Burrell-Aldana as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for her achievements in service to young people in Alexandria.