“Cathy’s passion and commitment to education is enriching her students’ lives every day,” said Whitehouse. “Rhode Island is proud to have her, and I was delighted to talk with her about education reform.”
Ms. Hayes has been a visual-arts teacher at the Oakland Beach Elementary School in Warwick for 11 years. She is credited for Oakland Beach School’s classification as a “SmART School,” where arts are placed at the center of the school’s curriculum. Oakland Beach is one of 20 SmART schools nationwide, and one of nine in Rhode Island.
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** EDITOR’S NOTE – PHOTO ATTACHED **
Suggested Caption: U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse meets with Catherine Davis Hayes, Rhode Island’s 2007 Teacher of the Year.
Credit: U.S. Senate Photographic Services