Honor Dr. Dozier’s Achievement

Senate Resolution No. 1318 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING Dr. Cheryl L. Dozier upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Excellence in Education Award by the University at Albany Alumni Association WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in this great State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr. Cheryl L. Dozier upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Excellence in Education Award by the University at Albany Alumni Association to be celebrated with a Gala on May 4, 2019, at Wolfert's Roost, Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, This auspicious award pays tribute to alumni for extraordinary distinction in the field of education, including pre-K through post-secondary classroom teaching, school services and administration/supervision; and WHEREAS, As associate professor in the University at Albany School of Education's Department of Literacy Teaching and Learning, Dr. Cheryl L. Dozier is considered among the best professors in the school; she has spent nearly four decades improving the quality of literacy education in local school districts and has created programs replicated in numerous schools across the state; and WHEREAS, Cheryl L. Dozier received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Springfield College before earning her master's degree from SUNY New Paltz; she began her illustrious career in education teaching primary grades in the Poughkeepsie City School District and middle school students in the Arlington Central School District; and WHEREAS, After earning a Ph.D. from the University at Albany (UAlbany) in 2001, Dr. Cheryl L. Dozier joined the faculty in the Department of Literacy Teaching and Learning; she was promoted to Associate Professor in 2009; and WHEREAS, Dr. Cheryl L. Dozier also taught inaugural courses in the UAlbany Master of Science in Reading online program, and played a critical role in developing the master's degree program for literacy specialist certification, birth to grade six; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, she was instrumental in establishing literacy clinical experiences in the Albany School District and expanding new clinical opportunities in the Cohoes City School District, where she addressed learning gaps and has allowed for a brighter future for countless students; and WHEREAS, Dr. Cheryl L. Dozier currently directs the UAlbany Literacy Lab, a capstone practicum experience for students becoming literacy specialists in local schools; she has also co-led multiple study abroad sessions in Belize, Central America, where undergraduate students study the area's educational systems and teach in two schools; and WHEREAS, Since 2009, Dr. Cheryl L. Dozier has led the Building Learning Communities to Improve Student Achievement project; also known as Teacher Leadership Quality Partnership (TLQP), the project supported collaborative relationships to provide quality professional development through Professional Learning Communities in four elementary schools in the City School District of Albany; and WHEREAS, Dr. Cheryl L. Dozier received the UAlbany President's Award for Public Engagement in 2017 for leading the project; she is also the proud recipient of the SUNY Chancellor's Award and UAlbany President's Award for Excellence in Teaching, as well as the Jerry Johns Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading Award presented by the International Literacy Association; and WHEREAS, This extraordinary woman is the author of Responsive Literacy Coaching: Tools for Creating and Sustaining Purposeful Change and Critical Literacy/Critical Teaching: Tools for Preparing Responsible Teachers; in addition, her work has been published in numerous book chapters and leading journals; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to her community, Dr. Cheryl L. Dozier is a member of several organizations including the Literacy Research Association, International Literacy Association, New York State Reading Association, and Albany City Area Reading Council; and WHEREAS, A significant contributor to education in New York State, Dr. Cheryl L. Dozier has continually demonstrated an impressive dedication, an unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for the quality of the educational programs and opportunities offered at the University at Albany for the benefit of its faculty and students, as well as for the entire community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Dr. Cheryl L. Dozier upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Excellence in Education Award by the University at Albany Alumni Association; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dr. Cheryl L. Dozier.