Bill Text: VA HR361 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Micaela Pond.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-07 - Bill text as passed House (HR361ER) [HR361 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HR361-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Micaela Pond, an esteemed educator with Arlington County Public Schools, retired in 2024 after 30 years of service with the school division; and
WHEREAS, both up to and in the wake of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, Micaela Pond was inspired to teach by her high school teacher, Christa McAuliffe, who was an astronaut and member of that mission; and
WHEREAS, Micaela Pond earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin in 1993 and then taught at Dumfries Elementary School before earning a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from George Mason University in 1996; and
WHEREAS, Micaela Pond headed west with her husband, a member of the United States Marine Corps, and taught at Las Palmas Elementary School in San Clemente, California, before returning to Arlington, where she taught at Drew Elementary School from 1998 to 2000 before joining Escuela Key; and
WHEREAS, Micaela Pond taught first grade, then fourth and fifth grade for some years, at Escuela Key, then was a gifted resource teacher, first between Escuela Key and Barcroft Elementary School, then at Gunston Middle School, and ultimately full-time at Escuela Key; and
WHEREAS, for the last 12 years, Micaela Pond has taught at Escuela Key, one of Arlington County's two Spanish language immersion elementary school programs; and
WHEREAS, as a gifted resource teacher, Micaela Pond worked individually and in small groups with students identified as gifted to cultivate their academic development through challenging and enriching educational activities; and
WHEREAS, Micaela Pond was an advocate and champion for her students, particularly those who were underserved or marginalized, helping others to recognize and nurture their strengths and abilities; and
WHEREAS, Micaela Pond actively supported and mentored her fellow teachers, helping to strengthen morale at her school and to lay a strong foundation for its success; and
WHEREAS, Micaela Pond has given generously of her time to the community outside of the school, founding the civic action group We of Action Virginia in 2016; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of her accomplishments as an educator, Micaela Pond was named the Arlington Educator of the Year in 2015 by the American Association of University Women and the Escuela Key Teacher of the Year in 2014; and
WHEREAS, Micaela Pond has embodied the highest virtues of the education profession through her unwavering commitment to her students and colleagues, earning the praise and admiration of all Virginians; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Micaela Pond hereby be commended on the occasion of her retirement; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Micaela Pond as an expression of the House of Delegates' high regard for her contributions to the education of students in the Commonwealth.
