Senate Resolution No. 2795

BY: Senator PARKER

CONGRATULATING Valrie E. Edwards upon the occasion
of her retirement after 31 years of dedicated
service to the New York City Department of Education

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those outstanding
educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have been
instrumental in developing character and academic excellence in the
young people of New York State; and

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled;
its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its
educational professionals and the students they inspire; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate
Valrie E. Edwards upon the occasion of her retirement after 31 years of
dedicated service to the New York City Department of Education to be
recognized with a Retirement Celebration in her honor on Thursday, March
12, 2020; and

WHEREAS, The future success of our State and Nation is dependent
upon individuals such as Valrie E. Edwards, who have dedicated their
lives as educators, nurturing our most precious resource, our youth; and

WHEREAS, Valrie E. Edwards began her exemplary career in 1988, as an
elementary school teacher, spending nine years in the classroom before
transferring to District 18 where she worked as a technology staff
developer training teachers and students on integrating technology; and

WHEREAS, In July of 2003, the Deputy Superintendent recommended
Valrie E. Edwards for the position of Technology Specialist in Region
6, supporting districts, 17, 18 and 22; and

WHEREAS, Four years later, Valrie E. Edwards went on to become
Borough Instructional Technology Assistant Director for Brooklyn, where
she was in charge of supporting districts 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 23 and 32;
and

WHEREAS, In March of 2009, Valrie E. Edwards was promoted to
Citywide Technology Integration Coordinator, supporting schools in every
borough; and

WHEREAS, Valrie E. Edwards was then named Innovation Implementation
Manager, the esteemed position she held until 2012; at the end of this
role, she moved to the Izone as an Implementation Manager, where they
supported schools with online learning; and

WHEREAS, This amazing woman's last assignment began in September
2015, when her illustrious career came full circle to support District
18 as an Academic Policy and Performance Lead; and

WHEREAS, Valrie E. Edwards has made incomparable contributions to
empowering and improving the well-being of the students of the New York

City Department of Education; she remains a source of inspiration and
knowledge to all she has befriended, educated and mentored; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her career, Valrie E. Edwards brought an
uncompromising standard of excellence to her work and a warm sense of
caring and concern to every young person she educated; and

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those individuals who have worked to support our proud
tradition of public education by providing their skills and talents to
our schools; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Valrie E. Edwards upon the occasion of her retirement, and
to wish her continued success in all of her future endeavors; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Valrie E. Edwards.