Honor Valrie E. Edwards

Senate Resolution No. 2795 BY: Senator PARKER CONGRATULATING Valrie E. Edwards upon the occasion of her retirement after 31 years of dedicated service to the New York City Department of Education WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those outstanding educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have been instrumental in developing character and academic excellence in the young people of New York State; and WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educational professionals and the students they inspire; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Valrie E. Edwards upon the occasion of her retirement after 31 years of dedicated service to the New York City Department of Education to be recognized with a Retirement Celebration in her honor on Thursday, March

12, 2020; and WHEREAS, The future success of our State and Nation is dependent upon individuals such as Valrie E. Edwards, who have dedicated their lives as educators, nurturing our most precious resource, our youth; and WHEREAS, Valrie E. Edwards began her exemplary career in 1988, as an elementary school teacher, spending nine years in the classroom before transferring to District 18 where she worked as a technology staff developer training teachers and students on integrating technology; and WHEREAS, In July of 2003, the Deputy Superintendent recommended Valrie E. Edwards for the position of Technology Specialist in Region

6, supporting districts, 17, 18 and 22; and WHEREAS, Four years later, Valrie E. Edwards went on to become Borough Instructional Technology Assistant Director for Brooklyn, where she was in charge of supporting districts 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 23 and 32; and WHEREAS, In March of 2009, Valrie E. Edwards was promoted to Citywide Technology Integration Coordinator, supporting schools in every borough; and WHEREAS, Valrie E. Edwards was then named Innovation Implementation Manager, the esteemed position she held until 2012; at the end of this role, she moved to the Izone as an Implementation Manager, where they supported schools with online learning; and WHEREAS, This amazing woman's last assignment began in September

18 as an Academic Policy and Performance Lead; and WHEREAS, Valrie E. Edwards has made incomparable contributions to empowering and improving the well-being of the students of the New York City Department of Education; she remains a source of inspiration and knowledge to all she has befriended, educated and mentored; and WHEREAS, Throughout her career, Valrie E. Edwards brought an uncompromising standard of excellence to her work and a warm sense of caring and concern to every young person she educated; and WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to commend the efforts of those individuals who have worked to support our proud tradition of public education by providing their skills and talents to our schools; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate Valrie E. Edwards upon the occasion of her retirement, and to wish her continued success in all of her future endeavors; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Valrie E. Edwards.