A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Evan Lewis Thompson, a music teacher at Pelion Elementary School in Lexington School District One, AND TO CONGRATULATE Him FOR BEING NAMED THE SCHOOL'S 2023-2024 TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that Evan Lewis Thompson has been named the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year at Pelion Elementary School in Lexington School District One; and

Whereas, intended to showcase outstanding professional educators who exemplify the ideals of the educational profession and whose efforts and example have inspired others, the Teacher of the Year Program recognizes teachers who demonstrate exemplary leadership and excellence in teaching; and

Whereas, born in Sumter, Evan Thompson graduated from Sumter High School in 2005 and earned a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of South Carolina in 2009 and a master's degree in educational leadership from Western Governors University in 2016; and

Whereas, he has been teaching for eleven years, starting at Chestnut Oaks Middle School in Sumter from 2012 to 2017, where he served as the director of the Middle School Band and Orchestra and assisted with the Sumter High School Marching Band; and

Whereas, Evan Thompson taught at Shaw Heights Elementary School on Shaw Air Force Base from 2017 to 2019, teaching elementary music and choir.  He has been at Pelion Elementary School since 2019, where he teaches elementary music, choir, and fifth grade band, creating opportunities for students to explore their talents and develop new life skills through music; and

Whereas, a faithful member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sumter, he is a member of the Palmetto Concert Band and a member and vice president of Carolina Jazz Xperience; and

Whereas, dedicated to his profession, Evan Thompson is a member of the South Carolina Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Education.  He is a life member and the past national president of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives value the work of dedicated educators in the Palmetto State, who devote themselves to our youth by helping them to prepare to become productive citizens, and especially teachers like Evan Thompson, whose outstanding service has been honored by his fellow teachers.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Evan Lewis Thompson, a music teacher at Pelion Elementary School in Lexington School District One, and congratulate him for being named the school's 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Evan Lewis Thompson.

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