LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Tamika Matheson upon the occasion of
her designation as the recipient of a 2012 Educational Advancement Foun-
dation Salute To Excellence in Community Education Award

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that individuals who
distinguish themselves in their profession and in service to their
community and its children merit the highest commendation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Tamika Matheson, of the New York City Department of Education, upon the
occasion of her designation as the recipient of a 2012 Educational
Advancement Foundation Salute To Excellence in Community Education
Award; and
WHEREAS, Tamika Matheson will be honored at the North Atlantic Region
of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Cluster III Educational Advancement
Foundation's Breakfast, to be held at the Double Tree by Hilton in
Tarrytown, New York on Saturday, June 23, 2012; and
WHEREAS, The Educational Advancement Foundation (EAF) is dedicated to
the pursuit of lifelong learning and each year proudly recognizes indi-
viduals who have made a difference in non-traditional educational ways
to create an environment in which children can grow; and
WHEREAS, Tamika Matheson truly merits such recognition; and
WHEREAS, Tamika Matheson is the Superintendent of District 2 in New
York City; she was promoted to Superintendent in 2011 after successfully
running Fredrick Douglass Academy VII in Brownsville, Brooklyn, known
for its high crime rates and unfortunately failing schools; and
WHEREAS, When Ms. Matheson left Fredrick Douglass Academy VII (FDAVII)
it had achieved the coveted A rating after its Department of Education's
Quality Review; while at FDAVII Tamika Matheson facilitated an increase
in Regents scores by mandating that students attend Regent prep courses
on weekends; and
WHEREAS, Not only did she mandate student participation, she herself
was at the school every weekend along with her staff and students
throughout her tenure at FDAVII; that Tamika Matheson cares about the
success of the children she serves is a testament to her commitment to
the children she has served throughout her career; FDAVII has graduated
scholars who have gone on to attend some of the most prestigious univer-
sities; that she demanded the best for and of her students was evident
in FDAVII's results; and
WHEREAS, Tamika Matheson, a New York City Public School educated
professional attended Brooklyn Technical High School and completed both
her graduate and undergraduate degrees at Brooklyn College; and
WHEREAS, She began her career at Boys and Girls High School in Bedford
Stuyvesant as a Social Studies teacher and was an Assistant Principal at
Paul Robinson until asked to be the founding Principal at FDAVII; and
WHEREAS, Another testament to Tamika Matheson's commitment to lifelong
learning is her role as Education Chair as a member of Jack and Jill of
America, Brooklyn Chapter; in this capacity she has voluntarily made
Jack and Jill a nomination source for the Posse Scholarship, a scholar-
ship for college ready high school seniors which pays full tuition for
four years; she has also researched public and private schools and has
completed reports to share with Jack and Jill members and the community;
and
WHEREAS, Tamika Matheson has, in addition, demonstrated a lifelong
commitment to education through her own stellar academic achievements,
her exceptional work as a New York City Department of Education employ-
ee, and her community service; and

WHEREAS, While committing herself to the education of children, Tamika
Matheson is married and has three children; and
WHEREAS, Tamika Matheson is truly a woman of excellence who has clear-
ly demonstrated her commitment to her community and to the well-being of
children; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend them for the
edification and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Tamika Matheson upon the occasion of her designation as the recip-
ient of a 2012 Educational Advancement Foundation Salute To Excellence
in Community Education Award on June 23, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Tamika Matheson.