[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 68 (Tuesday, June 6, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E883]]



                 IN RECOGNITION OF MR. JOSEPH BALCHUNAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2000

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Joseph 
Balchunas, a fourth-grade teacher at Fairway Elementary School in 
Miramar, Florida. On May 18, 2000, the Florida Department of Education 
and the Burdines Corporation acknowledged his innovative teaching style 
by naming him Florida Teacher of the Year. I would like to congratulate 
Joseph on this tremendous honor, and thank him for serving as a 
positive role model for the students of Fairway Elementary.
  With over 130,000 public school teachers statewide, only one person 
is recognized as Florida's Teacher of the Year. To select the one 
educator that epitomizes the ability to teach and communicate with 
students, the Florida Department of Education appoints a selection 
committee of teachers, principals, parents, and businessmen. This year 
the selection committee recognized Joseph for his innovative teaching 
philosophy, for his exemplary school and community service, and most 
importantly for his ability to inspire a love of learning in students 
of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
  Joseph has been teaching for only five years, making him, at age 28, 
a neophyte in the long list of educators who have previously been 
acknowledged as Teacher of the Year. A native of New York City, Joseph 
attended Nova Southeastern University and began teaching at Dwight D. 
Eisenhower Elementary in Davie before moving to his current position at 
Miramar's Fairway Elementary School. Throughout his short term of 
service in Broward County, Joseph has proven himself to be a hero in 
the eyes of his students, speaking to them on a level they can 
understand. Indeed, he has found a balance between teacher, authority 
figure, and friend--a balance that makes active learning fun for 
everyone involved.
  Educators statewide will benefit from this amazing South Florida 
teacher as Joseph serves as an ambassador for the Florida Department of 
Education throughout the next year. In this role, Joseph will tour the 
state and share his methodology with others. This award also qualifies 
him to be considered for the honor of National Teacher of the Year.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope my Florida colleagues will join me in praising 
Mr. Joseph Balchunas for all of the wonderful things he is doing to 
help the youth of South Florida. I would like to congratulate Joseph, 
along with the students and parents of his fourth-grade class, on this 
amazing accomplishment. Indeed, Fairway Elementary School and the 
Broward County School Board should be very proud of Joseph for the good 
work he is doing. In summary, I wish Joseph all the best in his future 
endeavors, and I thank him for his extraordinary work of positively 
influencing the youth of South Florida.

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