[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12278-12279]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF JIM CASTLEMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2007

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States 
Congress, it is an honor for me to rise today to recognize Jim 
Castleman for his 38 years of faithful service teaching in the public 
school system.
  Jim Castleman began teaching at Plew Elementary in 1969 upon 
receiving his Bachelor's degree from the University of West Florida and 
later went on to earn his Master's degree in 1972. While teaching fifth 
grade at Plew Elementary, Mr. Castleman has become a prominent member 
of the community well-known for his dedication and generosity. His 
contributions to excellence in education were recognized when he was 
honored by the Okaloosa County School Board as Teacher of the Year in 
1985.
  Mr. Castleman's involvement both in and out of the classroom proves 
his dedication and passion for teaching. In 1991, Mr. Castleman began 
coaching the school's tremendously successful Academic Team. The 
Academic Team competes in three state competitions each year and over 
the course of his seventeen years as coach they have earned numerous 
awards including eleven 1st place awards, nineteen 2nd place awards, 
and three 3rd place awards. For Mr. Castleman's final year as coach, 
the team not only earned 1st place in the state, but also 1st place in 
the entire Southeast Region.
  He has spent much of his time becoming personally involved in the 
students' lives in his efforts to make learning an enjoyable adventure. 
Mr. Castleman could often be found on the playground engaging in a 
friendly game of kickball with his students. Since 1972, he has been 
building and launching rockets with his students, and in 1991 he 
developed the popular educational club, Young Astronauts. The

[[Page 12279]]

program concludes each year with a trip to space camp in Huntsville, 
Alabama. Mr. Castleman is also credited with organizing the school's 
Safety Patrol which teaches his students the importance of service and 
safety for others.
  As a member of the local 1960's rock band, the Thunderbeats, Jim 
performed gigs throughout Florida and later utilized his talent and 
love for percussion to teach drum lessons for 35 years. He plans to 
continue conducting drum lessons after his retirement from the public 
school system.
  Out of his passion for teaching and his love for children, Jim sets 
high standards for all of his students and works with them to achieve 
their individual goals and the desired results of the overall academic 
performance of the class. He is the positive force behind each 
student's growth of mind, by giving them the confidence, knowledge, and 
inspiration needed to succeed.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to 
recognize Jim Castleman on his exemplary service in the Okaloosa County 
School District and wish him continued success during his retirement.

                          ____________________