LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Gertrude Shaffer upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the Global Educator Award

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the efforts
of those individuals in the teaching profession who distinguish them-
selves in their dedication and commitment to their students; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Gertrude Shaffer upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the Global Educator Award; she received this most auspicious award
during the Teachers' Conference on Human Rights at the United Nations;
and
WHEREAS, A woman of vision and action, Gertrude Shaffer is an English
teacher at South Seneca Middle School, in rural upstate New York; and
WHEREAS, Gertrude Shaffer nurtures her students to become world citi-
zens through her Innovative Human Rights curriculum; the "Words to
Deeds" service learning framework, taught for a decade, encompasses the
"Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Millennium Development Goals"
ideals; and
WHEREAS, Gertrude Shaffer's collaboration with the United Nations
Department of Information and NGO Global Education Motivators, focuses
on annual themes such as the eradication of poverty, respecting the
rights of indigenous peoples, the impact of climate change on human
rights, addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and promoting access to fresh
water for all, to name a few; international videoconferencing brings the
world into her classroom; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable teacher's extraordinary vision has brought
her students "Words to Deeds" service learning project ideas to fruition
through countless humanitarian projects and has shared results with
Delta Kappa Gamma, Cornell University, various universities and
colleges, and the United Nations; and
WHEREAS, Some of the projects which Gertrude Shaffer's students have
worked on include infant quilts for American Red Cross fire victims,
fundraisers for local animal shelters, flood relief, UNICEF, Toys for
Tots, Habitat for Humanity, a cancer hospital, Christmas angel tree
gifts, food pantries, Hurricane Katrina victims and many more; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Gertrude Shaffer involves her students in energetic
fundraising projects, including bake sales and sport tournaments,
impacting approximately 200 middle school students, 45 staff, and the
community; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her career thus far, Gertrude Shaffer has brought
an uncompromising standard of excellence to her work and a warm sense of
caring and concern to every young person she educates; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Gertrude Shaffer upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the Global Educator Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gertrude Shaffer.