LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Katarina Kupfer upon the occasion of
receiving the Teacher of the Year Award from the Association of Orthodox
Jewish Teachers on March 15, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves
through their exemplary careers, accomplishments, and purposeful lives
of service to their community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Katarina Kupfer upon the occasion of receiving the Teacher of the Year
Award from the Association of Orthodox Jewish Teachers at its 39th Annu-
al Luncheon to be held on Sunday, March 15, 2009, at The Renaissance,
Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Katarina Kupfer is being recognized for her outstanding
commitment to the children of New York City and her loyal support of the
Association of Orthodox Jewish Teachers' programs and policies; and
WHEREAS, Katarina Kupfer is the computer teacher at P.S. 164 in Brook-
lyn, New York, and is in her 24th year of teaching for the Department of
Education; born to Holocaust survivors, she has learned the meaning of
hard work first-hand and recognizes the importance of having an organ-
ization like the Association of Orthodox Jewish Teachers; and
WHEREAS, After World War II, Katarina Kupfer's family moved from
Buffalo, New York, to Brooklyn where she earned both her Bachelor's and
Master's degrees from Brooklyn College; prior to teaching computers, she
spent 10 years as a classroom teacher at P.S. 169 in Sunset Park; and
WHEREAS, During the course of an average week, Katarina Kupfer
welcomes many classes to her state of the art computer lab; these class-
es range from Pre-K through fifth grade; in addition to teaching
students, she publishes a student-run school newspaper and the school
yearbook; she also instructs an after-school technology class to the
parents of P.S. 164; she instituted all these programs in the school
upon her arrival, almost 14 years ago; and
WHEREAS, Katarina Kupfer firmly believes that technology is essential
for the future success of her students; all her students receive a well-
rounded technology education that includes Microsoft Office, keyboarding
skills, computer graphics, multimedia projects and Internet research;
and
WHEREAS, Katarina Kupfer is an exceptional teacher who has a real
passion for her work and as a result she has received numerous acco-
lades; she is the recipient of two Impact II grants from Teachers
Network, a Bertelsmann Innovative Teacher Award, and was most recently
named the Knowledge Adventure Teacher of the Year; and
WHEREAS, A woman of singular distinction, Katarina Kupfer has been
called upon to contribute her time and talents to countless endeavors
and has always given of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her service, a period of
constructive involvement, Katarina Kupfer has stood constant in dignity,
good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, Aaron, and their
four sons, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and
rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, intellect and commitment as that demonstrated by Katar-
ina Kupfer over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and

sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned recognition and applause; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Katarina Kupfer upon the occasion of receiving the Teacher of the
Year Award from the Association of Orthodox Jewish Teachers; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Katarina Kupfer.