Memorials, Professional Achievement - Cathleen Humphrey, DeKalb West School Teacher of the Year -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Michael Hale

Ceremonial resolution recognizing Cathleen Humphrey as 2024–2025 DeKalb West Teacher of the Year, commending her math and science teaching and impact on students and the community.

Signed by Governor.

#memorials #professionalachievement

Basic Information

Bill Number: HJR 575

Title: Memorials, Professional Achievement - Cathleen Humphrey, DeKalb West School Teacher of the Year

Type: House Joint Resolution (joint resolution)

Sponsor: Representative Hale

Introduced: April 3, 2025

Status: Signed by Governor (April 24, 2025)

Subject: Memorials, Professional Achievement

Purpose and Intent

HJR 575 is a ceremonial joint resolution recognizing and honoring Cathleen Humphrey for being named the 2024–2025 DeKalb West School Teacher of the Year. The resolution acknowledges her dedication, professional excellence, and positive impact on students, colleagues, and the community. It places the teacher’s achievement within the broader context of recognizing outstanding public education professionals in Tennessee.

Key Provisions

The resolution expressly congratulates Cathleen Humphrey for the 2024–2025 DeKalb West School Teacher of the Year designation.

It commends her exceptional service to Tennessee’s children, highlights her expertise in mathematics and science, and notes her impact as a fourth-grade teacher.

It salutes her professional expertise and personal excellence and wishes her success in future endeavors.

It provides that an appropriate copy of the resolution be prepared for presentation, with a standard closing clause about omitting the final clause from the copy presented.

Who is Affected

The primary beneficiary is Cathleen Humphrey, a DeKalb West School teacher (fourth grade, math and science).

The recognition also reflects on the DeKalb West School community, the broader school system, and Tennessee educators by highlighting excellence in teaching.

While ceremonial in nature, it contributes to the public record acknowledging professional achievement in education.

Procedural and Timeline Details

The resolution follows a standard legislative path for memorials:

Introduced in the House (April 3, 2025) and placed on consent.
Passed the House and then transmitted to the Senate (April 9–14, 2025 actions in sequence).
Senate concurrence and adoption occurred in mid-April 2025.
Signed by Senate Speaker (April 16, 2025) and then transmitted to the Governor.
The Governor signed the bill on April 24, 2025.

As a memorial joint resolution, it does not create new law or fiscal obligations; its effect is ceremonial recognition.

Impact and Implications

No fiscal impact or policy change is anticipated; the bill serves to publicly recognize and celebrate teacher excellence.

The resolution contributes to the culture of acknowledging individual educators who exemplify public service and educational quality in Tennessee.

It establishes a formal record of commendation that can be used in local and state contexts to honor Cathleen Humphrey’s contributions.

In Summary

HJR 575 is a ceremonial joint resolution recognizing Cathleen Humphrey as the 2024–2025 DeKalb West School Teacher of the Year, commending her dedication and impact as a fourth-grade math and science teacher, and extending best wishes for her future endeavors. The measure followed standard approval procedures and was signed into law by the Governor on April 24, 2025.

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