WHEREAS, Daniel Reichard, a native of Knox, Pennsylvania, a 2008 graduate of Keystone High School, and a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and George Mason University, has been a fifth-grade teacher at Kate Waller Barrett Elementary School since 2012; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Reichard has helped many students develop a strong foundation for lifelong learning through his creative teaching methods such as writing songs and chants about important material; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Reichard teaches using a core message that Belief + Effective Effort (with many mistakes along the way) = Sweet Success; and

WHEREAS, a Google Certified Educator Level 2, Daniel Reichard also utilizes technology to create an environment of inquiry and innovation in the classroom; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Reichard builds strong, personal relationships with his students to ensure that each child feels seen, heard, and understood every day; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Reichard places a special emphasis on keeping students' families engaged in the learning process and is an active member of the school's parent-teacher organization; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his outstanding ability and results, Daniel Reichard was named the 2018 Teacher of the Year by the Washington Post for the entire Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Daniel Reichard hereby be commended on his selection as 2018 Teacher of the Year; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Daniel Reichard as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for his work to empower and inspire the youth of the Stafford County community.