Assembly Resolution No. 566

BY: M. of A. Sayegh

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
December 2, 2023, as Special Education Teacher
Awareness Day, in conjunction with the observance of
National Special Education Day

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that teachers of
special education students deserve our recognition as they support
students to reach their goals of integration, independence and equality
in our communities and society at large; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim December 2, 2023, as
Special Education Teacher Awareness Day, in conjunction with the
observance of National Special Education Day; and

WHEREAS, Special education teachers play a critical role in
assessing student's skills and determining their educational needs, and
they develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to ensure students
are working at the pace that best suits them; and

WHEREAS, According to an education department report, in New York
State alone there are about 500,000 school-aged students receiving
special education programs and services; it is crucial that the state
comes together to acknowledge this important population of our state,
and the educators that continue to support them; and

WHEREAS, Students with disabilities deserve access to equitable
education, and this is achieved heavily through the support of special
education teachers; there has been an uphill battle in providing
education to children with special needs, and special education teachers
have served as advocates for the rights of these students; and

WHEREAS, Special education teachers deal with many different
situations that may arise on a day-to-day basis; they are required to
stay calm, and help students navigate challenges that may be presented
to them, and need to be creative and engaging for the different types of
students in the class; and

WHEREAS, Special education teachers balance the relationships
between students, their families, and their educational goals; special
education teachers often do not receive the appreciation they deserve;
and

WHEREAS, New York State has contributed many of its resources to
special education programs, therefore, it is only right that the
teachers who operate them are also acknowledged for their steadfast and
unremitting commitment to their students and their families; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim December 2, 2023, as

Special Education Teacher Awareness Day, in conjunction with the
observance of National Special Education Day; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York, and to special education teachers.