[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9486]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOEL SPENCER

  Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, I wish to recognize Joel Spencer of Little 
Rock, AR, as this week's Arkansan of the Week for his dedication to 
educating the next generation of computer coders, teaching students 
computer coding skills, and training other teachers as well.
  Studies show that students who learn coding and computer science at a 
young age are more successful later on, and Joel Spencer wants to make 
sure each child who comes through his classroom has the opportunity for 
that success. Joel is an elementary science specialist and teacher in 
the Little Rock School District and each week teaches over 500 
students. But his dedication to learning doesn't end there. Joel also 
conducts an afterschool computer Science First club, a Lego MINDSTORMS 
robotics club, and various other day camps around the State to 
introduce Arkansas students to programming. To say he is passionate 
about computer science education is an understatement.
  Children aren't the only ones Joel teaches. He is also dedicated to 
helping his fellow teachers become better educators. Joel serves as an 
affiliate trainer for Code.org, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding 
access to computer science and increasing participation by women and 
underrepresented groups. Through his work with this organization, Joel 
has trained over 1,000 teachers in code curriculum. He was also part of 
the committee that developed and adopted the K-8 computer science 
standards in Arkansas.
  Joel's dedication in computer coding education hasn't gone unnoticed. 
He received the Arkansas Association of Instructional Media Technology 
Teacher of the Year Award for the State of Arkansas and is also a 
nominee for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and 
Science Teaching. And during National Teacher Appreciation Week earlier 
this year, he was one of the computer science teachers recognized by 
President Obama at the White House.
  While he was in town for that ceremony, Joel made some time to visit 
my office and share his passion for computer coding education. I am 
proud that Arkansas has teachers like Joel, who are making students' 
futures brighter each day.
  It is my honor to recognize Joel Spencer as this week's Arkansan of 
the Week, and I am confident that the future of our State and Nation is 
brighter because of his work to inspire students to rise to the 
challenges of the 21st century.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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