Honoring Betty Jean Nobles on the occasion of her retirement after thirty-four (34) years of commitment and dedication to the students of the Philadelphia School District.

WHEREAS, After thirty-four (34) years of stimulating young minds in the Philadelphia School District, Ms. Betty Jean Nobles is retiring from teaching. Her last nine (9) years were spent at William D. Kelley Public School in Germantown; and

WHEREAS, In high school, a teacher inspired Ms. Nobles to be a writer. She provided Ms. Nobles with novels and nurtured her academic curiosity. Ms. Nobles' educational experience encouraged her to become a teacher and to provide the same exceptional support to her students; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Nobles created a space where her students could acquire strong writing skills and explore their creativity. At the end of each year, she would create a booklet of all her students' writings, so they could proudly show their writing skills to others; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Nobles' encouraging and excellent teaching style has been recognized through her receipt of numerous awards including her nomination for the Teacher of the Year Award; and

WHEREAS, To further her students' academic success, Ms. Nobles started the William Penn Scholarship Fund. The fund raised forty thousand dollars ($40,000) to help support higher education for students; and

WHEREAS, In 2009, using her experience as an educator, Ms. Nobles founded KandleLight Productions Incorporated, a non-profit aimed at decreasing violence among African-American males by teaching conflict resolution skills through literacy, expressive arts, and entrepreneurship; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors Betty Jean Nobles on the occasion of her retirement after thirty-four (34) years of commitment and dedication to the students of the Philadelphia School District.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy be presented to Betty Jean Nobles as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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