Contact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353 or Dylan Haney (501) 223-9081

Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) this week recognized Joel Spencer of Little Rock, Arkansas as the "Arkansan of the Week" for his dedication to computer science education.

You can find the full text of Senator Cotton's recognition on the Senate Floor below. A video of Senator Cotton's remarks can be viewed here.

I would like to recognize Joel Spencer, of Little Rock, Arkansas 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 Mindstorm 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's also dedicated to helping his fellow teachers become better educators. Joel serves as an affiliate trainer for code.org, a non-profit 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 to 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 Math and Science. 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'm proud that Arkansas has teachers like Joel, who are making students futures brighter each day. It's my honor to recognize Joel Spencer as this week's "Arkansan of the Week," and I am confident that our state and nation's future is brighter because of his work to inspire students to rise to the challenges of the 21st century.

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The "Arkansan of the Week" initiative is designed to honor Arkansans who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to their communities, and to the state.

Senator Cotton will honor each "Arkansan of the Week" with a speech on the Senate Floor.

If you know someone who has made an impact on their local community or Arkansas as a whole, Senator Cotton would like to recognize them! To nominate someone for "Arkansan of the Week," send an email to nominations@cotton.senate.gov with the following:
• Name of Nominee
• Detailed description of why they should be recognized as "Arkansan of the Week"
• Contact Info
• Photos if Available

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