[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING KATHERINE CARNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 1, 2007

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Katherine Carney upon receiving the Commonwealth Academy's Recognition 
for Educators, CARE, Award.
  The CARE award honors outstanding educators from across the United 
States for their unrelenting work to enhance the lives of their 
students. Kathe, a teacher at Neabsco Elementary School, is honored for 
her work in promoting diverse learners in the spirit of the ''No Child 
Left Behind Act.''
  Although she began her career teaching English literature, Mrs. 
Carney's passion and gift lay with teaching the neediest students. In 
1994, at PACE West, a self-contained special education school, she 
taught students with serious emotional and behavioral needs. In 
addition to the 8-13 subjects she taught a day, she took on roles as a 
mentor, advisory committee member, and the school's administrator of 
various special education testing regimens. Devoted to reading, Mrs. 
Carney noted a void of books at her school, and was shocked to find no 
library at PACE West. She took it upon herself to initiate, organize, 
and develop the PACE West library, which housed 2,000 volumes upon her 
departure.
  After 7 years at PACE, Mrs. Carney joined the staff at Swans Creek 
Elementary School. She taught a self-contained class for students in 
the 2nd-5th grade with learning disabilities, speech, language and 
vision impairments, and other health challenges. Again, Mrs. Carney 
mentored her fellow teachers and established the school's Learning 
Disabilities Program.
  In 2003, Mrs. Carney joined the faculty at Neabsco Elementary School, 
teaching 4th and 5th graders who are emotionally disturbed. The 
administration at Neabsco quickly realized her abilities and tasked her 
to be the case manager of the Instructional Consultant Team and a 
member of the Child Study Team. Mrs. Carney has received numerous 
commendations at Neabsco, including being named 2007 Neabsco Teacher of 
the Year and was nominated to be 2007 Dale City Teacher of the Year.
  Over her distinguished career, Mrs. Carney has demonstrated great 
resolve, patience, and a unique ability to make a positive difference 
in the lives of her students. Working with students with these needs is 
trying; however, every day is a new opportunity for Mrs. Carney and her 
students. No incident or past history is ever carried back into the 
classroom; this includes the time where an inadvertent swing of a 
baseball bat left her in a full leg cast for months.
  It is dark when Mrs. Carney arrives at school and dark when she 
leaves. Her devotion to her students is immeasurable. Whether it is 
tutoring for the science fair on a Saturday, meeting with a concerned 
parent late at night, or counseling former students on life altering 
decisions, Mrs. Carney always makes herself available to those in need. 
Through her tender approach and no-nonsense outlook, Mrs. Carney has 
made a difference in the lives of countless youths in Prince William 
County.
  Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to commend and congratulate 
Mrs. Carney for being recognized as one of the 2007 CARE awardees. I 
call upon my colleagues to join me in applauding Kathe on all her 
accomplishments and in wishing her continued success in the years to 
come.

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