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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
20-272
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
October 28, 2014
To recognize and honor the contributions of Gwendolyn Evans-Orange to the District of Columbia Public Schools, the University of the District of Columbia, and Howard University, and on her retirement from the District of Columbia Public Schools after 31 years of dedicated service and work.
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange was born on October 21, 1956, in Pitt County, North Carolina, to Paul Evans Jr. and Alice Louise Barnes-Evans and 3 months later the Evans family moved to New York City;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange graduated from Andrew Jackson Senior High School, Public School 192, and Public School 136 in New York, New York;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education, with a concentration in early childhood and elementary education, from Queens College located in New York, New York, in 1978, completed a year and a half study in psychology at Queens College, and earned a Masters of Education in Special Education from Howard University located in Washington, D.C., in 1982;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange, in September 1982, began her teaching career in the District of Columbia Public Schools (“DCPS”) at Hardy Middle School;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange is licensed and certified in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Special Education & Specific Learning Disabilities, and Non- Categorical Special Education;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange, a reading specialist,trained in the America’s Choice reading program, has enhanced her students reading levels significantly including by as much as 3 grade levels in one year;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange, in 2002, earned a trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, to evaluate global reading programs of excellence in over 24 countries;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange served as an adjunct professor at the University of the District of Columbia in 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange, in June 2007, was inducted into the District of Columbia Area Writing Project (“DCAWP”) at Howard University, and became a member of its Board of Directors in 2010;
WHEREAS, under the DCAWP, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange is a professional development presenter and consultant of writing and reading instruction including digital writing on all instructional levels;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange is a member of the International Reading Association, the Council for Exceptional Children, and the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators-Alpha Chapter;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange, in 2001, received the Ward 7 Community Service Award for reading achievement and community service and leadership with homeless students and families during her tenure as a reading teacher at H.D. Woodson Senior High School in the District of Columbia;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange, serving as a literacy coach, received the Team Award for Reading Excellence in 2006 – 2007 at Noyes Elementary School, and as a visiting instructor received the Team Award for Reading Excellence in 2008-2009 at Sharpe Health School;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange achieved yearly ratings as an “Outstanding” teacher on the elementary, middle, and senior high school level;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange has been rated Highly Effective under the DCPS IMPACT Evaluation Ratings for school years 2011, 2012, and 2013;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange, in 2013, achieved a perfect rating of 4.00 as a reading teacher;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange has advanced to the Expert Teacher LIFT stage for the 2014-2015 school year along with Distinguished - Highly Effective IMPACT II evaluation ratings from DCPS;
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange is married to the Honorable Vincent Bernard Orange, Sr., At-Large Member of the Council of the District of Columbia, and they have 3 children and a daughter in-law, son Vincent Bernard Orange, Jr., and spouse Emily Lawson-Orange, son Paul Wesley Orange, and daughter Jannie Elizabeth Orange;
WHEREAS, the Orange family are long-time residents of Ward 5 and faithful members of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., where Gwendolyn Evans-Orange has served as a Sunday school teacher for 23 years; and
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Evans-Orange committed her time, effort, and talents to the betterment of the District of Columbia through her faithful service as a dedicated and appreciated employee of the District of Columbia Public Schools’ education system for more than 31 years and has taught every grade level, from Pre-K to Grade 12, as well as taught and trained teachers at the University of the District of Columbia and Howard University.
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that the Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors Gwendolyn Evans-Orange for her outstanding contribution and invaluable service to the District of Columbia, the District of Columbia Public Schools, the University of the District of Columbia, Howard University, and the education of students in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.
Sec. 2. This resolution may be cited as the “Gwendolyn Evans-Orange Recognition Resolution of 2014”.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
