TO CONGRATULATE GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT DR. PHINNIZE J. "PENNY" FISHER ON BEING NAMED ONE OF FOUR FINALISTS IN THE 2011 NATIONAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR PROGRAM BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives was pleased to hear that Greenville County Schools Superintendent Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher was one of four finalists in the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) 2011 National Superintendent of the Year Program; and
Whereas, the program, co-sponsored by ARAMARK Education, ING, and AASA and in its twenty-fourth year, celebrates the contributions and leadership of public school superintendents; and
Whereas, in preparation for her distinguished career in education, Dr. Penny Fisher earned her bachelor's degree from St. Paul's College in Virginia and her master's and doctoral degrees from Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey. Dr. Fisher's lifelong work in education began as a teacher in New Jersey in 1969. In the course of her career, she has served as teacher, principal, assistant/associate superintendent, deputy superintendent of operations, chief of staff, and superintendent; and
Whereas, since 2004, Dr. Fisher has been superintendent of Greenville County Schools, which serves 69,802 students in the largest school district in the Palmetto State. Previously, she had served as an assistant superintendent and chief operating officer in the district; and
Whereas, her selection as a finalist in the 2011 National Superintendent of the Year competition recognizes her educational vision and determination, which led to the construction of seventy schools, the opening of the state's first elementary school with a fully integrated engineering curriculum, students consistently outperforming their national peers on high-stake tests, meeting the needs of a very diverse student population by championing programs such as virtual school and twilight school, and offering a variety of choice programs that provide opportunities for learning while recognizing the important role of extracurricular activities in developing an individual's full potential; and
Whereas, believing strongly in active community participation, Dr. Fisher serves on boards for the United Way of Greenville and the Public Education Partners Foundation. She is a trustee for Spartanburg Methodist College and is on the Greenville Technical College Board of Commissioners. She is also a member of the Rotary Club of Pleasantburg, the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) Executive Board, and the South Carolina Superintendent's Roundtable. On the national level, she is a lifetime member of the NAACP and a boule member (leadership council) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; and
Whereas, in addition to this new honor, her many awards include 2011 South Carolina Superintendent of the Year, 2009 Honorary National FFA American Degree, 2009 Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club Public Servant of the Year, 2007 Outstanding Superintendent for the Career and Technology Education Administrators Division of SCASA, 2005 Women Making History Award, and Greenville Magazine Administrator of the Year; and
Whereas, cognizant of her strong commitment to educational excellence in both herself and her students, the House of Representatives takes much pleasure in congratulating Dr. Fisher on receiving this latest recognition. The members also would like to express their gratitude for the great honor she has brought to Greenville County Schools, her school board, SCASA, and the State of South Carolina. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Greenville County Schools Superintendent Dr. Phinnize J. "Penny" Fisher on being named one of four finalists in the 2011 National Superintendent of the Year Program by the American Association of School Administrators.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Dr. Penny Fisher.