LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Miriam McDonald upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition by Brooklyn Housing and Family
Services at its Awards Dinner on June 18, 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 their profession; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Miriam McDo-
nald, Assistant Principal of Ditmas I.S. 62's Institute of Business,
Finance and Technology and Supervisor of its ESL and Science Depart-
ments, upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by
Brooklyn Housing and Family Services at its Awards Dinner to be held at
Brooklyn's Rex Manor on Thursday, June 18, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Miriam McDonald was born in Scarborough, Tobago, and grew up
on Tobago's sister island Trinidad; at age 11, she won a college exhibi-
tion scholarship to attend Osmond High School in Port-of-Spain, Trini-
dad; during her years in school, she was especially interested in work-
ing with children, an interest her parents encouraged and which she made
her life's work; and
WHEREAS, Miriam McDonald earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Busi-
ness from Long Island University, a Master of Science degree in Educa-
tion from Brooklyn College of The City University of New York, and an
Advanced Certificate in Supervision from Staten Island College of The
City University of New York; and
WHEREAS, Miriam McDonald joined the staff at Brooklyn's Ditmas Educa-
tional Complex where she began her career as a teacher, teaching math-
ematics to 6th, 7th and 8th Grade students, a position she held for 11
years before being named an Assistant Principal in 1992; she is, in
addition, an Adjunct Lecturer at Brooklyn College, where she teaches
mathematics in the Immerse Program; and
WHEREAS, Miriam McDonald achieved her biggest dream when she became
the first Ditmas Educational Complex teacher to implement a program to
prepare 7th Grade students to take the New York State Regents Examina-
tion in mathematics and all students passed with distinction, an accom-
plishment of which she may be justly proud; and
WHEREAS, In 1999, Miriam McDonald served as a Resident Educator at
Classroom Inc., where she wrote a manual and developed activities for
special needs students using the Chelsea Bank Simulation; and
WHEREAS, She has been honored with the District 20 Teacher of the Year
and Excellence in Education Awards in recognition of her commitment to
enriching the learning experience for all children and she continues to
be an inspiration to her students and her staff; and
WHEREAS, Miriam McDonald is the proud mother of six children and the
loving grandmother of 11 grandchildren, all of whom are proud to be part
of her life and rejoice in her many accomplishments; 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 merit the highest commendation and the recognition and appre-
ciation of those who have benefited from their service; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Miriam McDonald upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by Brooklyn Housing and Family Services at its Awards Dinner
on June 18, 2009; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Miriam McDonald.