Senate Resolution No. 3357

BY: Senator LARKIN

HONORING Linda Romano upon the occasion of being
named the 2018 National ACTE Teacher of the Year by
the Association for Career and Technical Education

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and
recognize those dedicated individuals, who strive to enhance the quality
of education for our students, and whose accomplishments, character and
community commitment inspire all citizens of this great Empire State;
and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Linda Romano upon the occasion of being named the 2018 National ACTE
Teacher of the Year by the Association for Career and Technical
Education, celebrated at its National Conference on Wednesday, December
6, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, Newburgh Health Science Educator Linda Romano was
recognized with this prestigious award for demonstrating innovation in
the classroom, a commitment to her students, and a steadfast dedication
to the improvement of CTE in her classroom and community; and

WHEREAS, After starting a nurse aide program at Newburgh Free
Academy in 2006, Linda Romano, with her unique blend of traditional,
modern and outside-the-box teaching methods, has been instrumental in
the growth of enrollment from 12 students to 214 students in the span of
11 years; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this extraordinary growth led to the hiring of
two additional faculty members, and its graduates have become key
members of the local healthcare workforce and community; and

WHEREAS, With an unwavering commitment to her profession, Linda
Romano splits her time between Newburgh Free Academy and Elant Inc., a
local nursing home where she works side by side with her students to
ensure they complete the necessary clinical requirements for CNA
certification and to transform them into professional-grade caregivers;
and

WHEREAS, A truly inspirational educator, Linda Romano has chaired
the school's Building Leadership Team, co-chaired the Health and Safety
Team, organized numerous blood drives, conducted CPR/AED training for
staff and students, and written curriculum for the nursing program; and

WHEREAS, In addition, she mentors new teachers and participates in
extensive professional development, sharing her creative teaching style
for project-based learning; and

WHEREAS, Linda Romano is a tireless volunteer, spending her weekends
at the Newburgh Armory, a local community center, where she teaches math
and reading skills through CTE concepts; she is currently developing a
health science class, as well as an after school program which will
support academics and CTE for middle school-age students; and


WHEREAS, An active member of numerous state and national
professional organizations, Linda Romano has presented at several
conferences and has served on State Education Department and Department
of Health work groups, writing and mapping curriculum; and

WHEREAS, As a knowledgeable and highly skilled teacher, Linda Romano
has improved the quality of education at Newburgh Free Academy by
leading and supporting staff with enthusiasm, cultivating a positive and
stimulating school environment for her students, and creating a greater
sense of community; and

WHEREAS, A significant contributor to education in New York State,
Linda Romano continually demonstrates an impressive dedication, an
unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for the quality of
the educational programs and opportunities offered at the Newburgh Free
Academy for the benefit of its faculty and students, as well as for the
entire community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Linda Romano upon the occasion of being named the 2018 National
ACTE Teacher of the Year by the Association for Career and Technical
Education; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Linda Romano.