[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 38 (Thursday, March 6, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   RECOGNIZING APRIL BRANSCOME AS OKALOOSA COUNTY TEACHER OF THE YEAR

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                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 2008

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States 
Congress, it is an honor for me to rise today in recognition of April 
Branscome, Okaloosa County's Teacher of the Year.
  For over two decades, April Branscome has worked at Niceville High 
School. Employed initially as a secretary, Ms. Branscome now serves as 
an information technology instructor and is a savant on educational 
technology. Her teaching skills range from the conventional to the more 
cutting-edge. She is excellent in the classroom, possessing an 
incredible ability to inspire her pupils. Not content to rest upon her 
laurels, Ms. Branscome has expanded upon her talents and has taken her 
advanced comprehension of technology to the next level of teaching.
  Constructed for Okaloosa's CHOICE IT institute, Ms. Branscome 
fashioned her own web design curriculum, which resulted in a 100 
percent passage rate for students seeking their Internet Webmaster 
certificate. She is currently being courted by schools throughout the 
State to train their IT teachers.
  Ms. Branscome's ascension to Teacher of the Year did not happen 
quickly. Shortly after her high school graduation, Ms. Branscome took 
on a secretarial position at Niceville High School. While working, she 
became enthralled with education, yet lacked the credentials to teach. 
For 12 years, taking one or two night and weekend classes at a time, 
Ms. Branscome finally attained a teaching degree.
  The title of Teacher of the Year is an immense honor and is evidence 
of the greatness Ms. Branscome has attained. Beyond the title lies Ms. 
Branscome's dedication and devotion to not only her students, but to 
the entire community. Her teaching skills and affable personality have 
influenced many and have pushed countless students to a higher level of 
academic achievement. Ms. Branscome's outstanding accomplishments have 
distinguished her as one of the great teachers in northwest Florida, 
and the Okaloosa County School District is honored to have her as one 
of their own. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I 
am proud to recognize April Branscome on this outstanding achievement 
and her exemplary service in Okaloosa County.

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