1     
JOINT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING SCHOOL TEACHERS

2     
2023 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Jefferson S. Burton

5     
Senate Sponsor: Ann Millner

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This resolution recognizes Utah's public school educators for their extraordinary efforts
10     to educate students during a public health crisis.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This resolution:
13          ▸     acknowledges the challenges educators in Utah's public schools faced in providing
14     instruction during a public health crisis, including the challenges of remote
15     instruction;
16          ▸     highlights Utah's history of education innovation; and
17          ▸     declares that curricular decisions should be made at the local level.
18     Special Clauses:
19          None
20     

21     Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
22          WHEREAS, in March and April of 2020, teachers in Utah's public schools transitioned
23     to remote instruction for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year due to the coronavirus
24     pandemic, and some public schools continued remote instruction during the 2020-2021 school
25     year;
26          WHEREAS, Utah's educators were faced with profound challenges as this public health
27     crisis created unprecedented problems for student learning and educational delivery;
28          WHEREAS, Utah's educators rose to the challenge by creating new delivery platforms
29     on the fly and spent countless hours refining curriculum and student access to learning models;

30          WHEREAS, educators, including teachers and administrators, and school staff in Utah
31     made extraordinary efforts to educate students during a time of separation and uncertainty;
32          WHEREAS, educators in Utah routinely dedicate personal time and resources to
33     helping students achieve their learning goals and objectives;
34          WHEREAS, Utah has a history of education innovation, developing relevant
35     curriculum at the local level to best prepare our students for the challenges of the 21st century;
36          WHEREAS, time and long experience have shown that curricular decisions are best
37     made at the local district level without undue federal influence or overreach:
38          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
39     acknowledges the significant sacrifices made by Utah's educators to educate students during a
40     public health crisis.
41          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recognizes National Teacher
42     Appreciation Day on May 2, 2023, and encourages all Utahns to honor the state's educators on
43     this day and thank them for their invaluable contributions.
44          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recognizes educators as precious
45     resources, critical to preparing Utah's students to face the challenges of the 21st century with
46     confidence.
47          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature declares that curriculum choices for
48     Utah students will continue to be made at the local school district level to ensure that our
49     students are prepared to enter the workforce with the confidence and skills required to support
50     Utah's thriving economy.