[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING RANDY JOYCE AS THE 2013 AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION TEACHER OF 
                                THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 2013

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate Mr. Randy Joyce, the 2013 Air Force Association Teacher of 
the Year.
   Mr. Joyce received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical 
Education, with minors in Sports Medicine and Social Sciences, from the 
University of Mobile in 2000. Five years later, he earned a 
Certification in Gifted Education from the Okaloosa County Alternative 
Certification Program. He also is affiliated with the Air Force 
Association, the Civil Air Patrol, and the Okaloosa County Education 
Association. These achievements and affiliations prepared Mr. Joyce for 
his career in educating the students of Northwest Florida in the 
science, aviation, and aerospace fields.
   For the last nine years, Mr. Joyce has been dedicated to serving the 
students of Crestview, Florida. Mr. Joyce began his teaching career at 
Richbourg Middle School. After five years at Richbourg, Mr. Joyce moved 
to Shoal River Middle School (SRMS) to teach classes in comprehensive 
sciences. He has spent the last six years teaching Aerospace and 
Aviation Science, a program in the Community High Okaloosa Institutes 
of Career Education (CHOICE) Aviation Institute. Mr. Joyce's dynamic 
and engaging teaching style has built tremendous interest in aviation 
studies at his school and has garnered him multiple nominations for the 
Teacher of the Year Award. This year, he has won that award.
   A large part of Mr. Joyce's curriculum involves engaging his seventh 
and eighth grade students with hands-on educational tools. For 
instance, his classes visit Pensacola Naval Air Station twice per year 
to experience the evolution of military aviation while witnessing the 
impact that aviation and aerospace have on their lives. Mr. Joyce also 
takes his students to Challenger Learning Center every year to better 
connect the students with the roles they can play in the future of 
space exploration. The students participate in numerous labs during the 
course of the year that begin with learning the basics of lift, drag, 
gravity, and thrust, and culminate with building their own rockets, 
complete with making their own fuel mixtures. These exercises and 
experiences instill an interest in exploring the frontiers of aerospace 
and aviation in the many students who participate in these courses.
   Mr. Joyce has demonstrated his commitment to the success of each of 
his students. The growing student interest in his Aerospace and 
Aviation Science course has led Mr. Joyce to push for devoting an 
entire school day to aviation coursework. He also serves as the 
Wellness Coordinator and the Academic Team Sponsor at SRMS, which is a 
further testament to his tireless efforts to benefit his students.
   On behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to recognize Mr. 
Randy Joyce for his great achievements and honorable service. My wife 
Vicki joins me in wishing him all of the best for continued success.

                          ____________________