M. President, I rise today to bring to your attention a remarkable Vermonter, Rebecca Haslam, who is recognized as Vermont’s 2015 Teacher of the Year.

The honor is a testament to Rebecca’s hard work and dedication to improved learning and education. Rebecca’s leadership in education has helped foster intellectual and personal growth in countless students. She has earned the respect of the community through her commitment, dedication, and passion to her classroom and her innovative approach to learning.

Her dedication to her students is unwavering, “They have such a love of learning and they are joyful when they come to school,” she explains. Moreover, Rebecca provides a comfortable environment for students to learn, fostering social, academic, and emotional development for her students.

As an educator, Rebecca sets high expectations and routines in the classroom to ensure the success of all her students. She is diligent in providing academic rigor and a caring environment. Her academic expectations inspire students of all backgrounds and learning abilities.

In our state’s biggest city, Burlington, she tackles difficult issues many students have faced. Rebecca pulls on her own childhood experiences to better address the stereotypes and biases she noticed as a child. As a student, she recalls her own classmates were quick to point out she was different, “It was like here’s the norm, and here’s you,” Rebecca shared with a local reporter. As a child, Rebecca was never empowered with the language or the space to talk about her experience as a minority, and she does not want the same for the youth of today.

To better address race and culture in the classroom, Rebecca is also the Burlington School District social studies and equity coach. In this role she creates curriculum, teaches side by side with colleagues, and works to promote an inclusive classroom environment in all six elementary schools. Additionally, Rebecca is a participant of the district Equity Committee. She works to promote equity and cultural competence through Burlington’s school system trainings ten times a year.  The teachers focus on reducing stereotyping and bias with curricular innovations and with conversation. “The goal of it is never, ever to shame and blame,” she said. “The goal is really to build our capacity to be anti-racist educators, all of us.”

Rebecca is a role model for all Vermonters. She uses her past experiences, present understandings, and future goals as motivation for her teaching. She is teaching our students, educators, and community how to be socially responsible and respectful. The work that Rebecca does to create an atmosphere conducive to learning is commendable. Vermonters are truly fortunate to have such a praiseworthy educator for their children.