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Also naming the 1900 Block of N. 59th Street as “Joyce Abbott Way” to honor retired School District of Philadelphia educator Joyce Abbott for her many contributions to Philadelphia’s students and in recognition of her inspiration of the name for the hit tv show, Abbott Elementary.
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WHEREAS, Joyce Abbott was born and raised in Philadelphia. As a child she resided in West Philadelphia and attended Henry C. Lea Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Abbott’s mother was a teacher for the School District of Philadelphia. Little did Ms. Abbott know she would follow in her footsteps and inspire the next generation of learners; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Abbott is proud a 1977 graduate of Overbrook High School in West Philadelphia. She then attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore where she earned her degree in business; and
WHEREAS, For a decade after school, Ms. Abbott served in the United States Army. She completed a tour of duty in the Persian Gulf War during Desert Storm and earned the rank of staff sergeant; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Abbott is also a graduate of Cheyney University where she earned her master’s degree of education; and
WHEREAS, At the start of her teaching career, Ms. Abbott spent a year at Shaw Middle School. She then moved to Andrew Hamilton School. She taught at Hamilton for twenty-five years before retiring; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Abbott is deservedly recognized as an exceptional educator. She was listed in the Whos’ Who of America’s Finest Teachers in 2004, 2005, and 2007. She is remembered fondly by her students, many of whom have been quoted praising her deep dedication to their wellbeing as well as their education; and
WHEREAS, One student on whom Ms. Abbott had a profound impact is Quinta Brunson, the creator of ABC’s sitcom, Abbott Elementary, who had Ms. Abbott as her teacher in the 2000-01 school year; and
WHEREAS, Brunson was inspired to write Abbott Elementary, which is based in a fictional Philadelphia public school, by her mother’s experiences as a teacher for the School District of Philadelphia. She remembered Ms. Abbott fondly as an educator who cared deeply about her students and who was one of her favorite teachers; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is proud of Ms. Joyce Abbott’s impact on her students. In recognition of her distinguished career as an educator in the School District of Philadelphia, now therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, that it hereby also names the 1900 Block of N. 59th Street as “Joyce Abbott Way” to honor retired School District of Philadelphia educator Joyce Abbott for her many contributions to Philadelphia’s students and in recognition of her inspiration of the name for the hit tv show, Abbott Elementary.
FURTHER RESOLVED that an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented Ms. Joyce Abbott further evidencing the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
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