TITLE: Congratulating Paula Jay on her retirement as an English teacher at Elkins High School in Missouri City.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Paula Jay on her retirement as an English teacher at Elkins High School in Missouri City.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Paula Jay is retiring as head of the English department at Elkins High School in Missouri City at the end of the 2012-2013 school year, drawing to a close a distinguished career in education that has spanned three and a half decades; and WHEREAS, A graduate of Hondo High School, Ms. Jay attended Texas A&I University in Kingsville and taught high school in Robstown and Tuloso-Midway before returning to Texas A&I to earn her master's degree in English; in 1983, she joined the faculty of Willowridge High School in Houston, where she was recognized as teacher of the year; and WHEREAS, Ms. Jay assisted in the establishment of Elkins High School in 1992, and she has served as chair of the English department for the past 21 years; known for her dedication to her students and her tireless work to create a positive learning environment, she created the school's English Honor Society, which recently became a chapter of the National English Honor Society, and she has sponsored many student groups at the school, including University Interscholastic League competitors in spelling, literary criticism, ready writing, current events, and journalism; in addition, she started the Academic Decathlon at Elkins, and under her guidance her students have excelled, even winning back-to-back state championships in 1995 and 1996, a feat no other school in the state had previously achieved; an inspiring and dynamic teacher, Ms. Jay has been honored multiple times during her tenure at Elkins, including by being named the school's Teacher of the Year in 1995-1996, when she was a district finalist for that honor as well; and WHEREAS, In retirement, Ms. Jay looks forward to reading and spending time with her two daughters and her first grandson, Mason; and WHEREAS, During her 35 years as an educator, Paula Jay has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to her students, and she may indeed reflect with pride on her accomplishments as she embarks on the next exciting chapter of her life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Paula Jay on the occasion of her retirement and extend to her sincere best wishes for happiness in the years ahead; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Ms. Jay as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Craddick Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2318 was adopted by the House on May 22, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House