[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 29 (Friday, February 21, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING VICTORIA HURLEY AS THE 2014 OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA 
                          TEACHER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 21, 2014

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Victoria 
Hurley as the 2014 Okaloosa County, Florida Teacher of the Year. I am 
proud to recognize her accomplishments as an outstanding educator and 
the instrumental role she has played in the lives of her students.
   Ms. Hurley earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education and a Master's 
Degree in Educational Leadership from Troy University. A product of the 
Okaloosa County, Florida school system, Ms. Hurley continues to give 
back to her community. Ms. Hurley has educated students at Northwood 
Elementary and Walker Elementary, both located in Crestview, Florida, 
and has served as a literacy coach. She currently teaches Intensive 
Reading at her alma mater, Baker School in Baker, Florida. Ms. Hurley 
is certified in Next Generation Content Area Reading--Professional 
Development (NGCAR-PD) and K-12 Reading Endorsement. She gives her 
colleagues and the teachers who encouraged, challenged and mentored her 
credit for her successful career, but it is mainly because of her 
passion and commitment to excellence that Ms. Hurley inspires her 
students to maintain a fervent interest in reading and succeed.
   For over fifteen dedicated years, Ms. Hurley has taught a variety of 
classes with students ranging from the third to tenth grades and has 
participated in community and statewide projects. Among her accolades 
are Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year and the Disney Environmentality 
Regional award. Famed Librarian John Cotton Dana once said, ``Who dares 
to teach must never cease to learn.'' Ms. Hurley truly believes that to 
be an effective teacher is to be a lifelong learner, and in her spare 
time, she ensures that she never becomes complacent in her own 
professional development. Always seeking improvement, Ms. Hurley has 
instructed 216 hours of professional development and has earned a 
supplementary 438 hours of in-service credit. In addition to her 
teaching schedule and time spent on professional development, her 
service to Okaloosa County is demonstrated by her presence on many 
school committees and assistance in writing grants.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am 
privileged to recognize Ms. Hurley as the 2014 Okaloosa County Teacher 
of the Year. Teachers like Ms. Hurley strive to lead their students 
down a path of personal and academic success, and Okaloosa County is 
fortunate to have her as part of its community. My wife Vicki joins me 
in congratulating Victoria Hurley, and we wish her all the best.

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