[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 79 (Monday, May 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E915-E916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING BRIGITTE LAVEY FOR WINNING FAIRFAX COUNTY TEACHER OF THE 
                               YEAR AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 24, 2010

  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to congratulate my 
constituent, Brigitte Lavey, a teacher at Langley High School, as the 
Fairfax County ``Teacher of the Year.'' She has demonstrated 
extraordinary leadership and character that has benefited many 
students.
  Additionally Brigitte, who teaches advanced placement world history, 
world studies, and geography, also was recently honored by The 
Washington Post with the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award for 
educational excellence. This award is presented annually to a teacher 
from each school division in the Washington metropolitan area.
  Brigitte was hired by Fairfax County Public Schools in 1968 to teach 
English and history

[[Page E916]]

at Frost Middle School. She moved to Langley High School in 1975, where 
she has taught English, history, and art history. She earned bachelor's 
degrees in English and history from St. Louis University.
  Brigitte runs a student-centered classroom. On any given day, 
students might run a Socratic seminar, give a presentation, run a 
student-led discussion, or participate in a writing workshop. She 
implores students to see the significances of history on their own, 
modern lives; to compare their contemporary world with the times they 
study, and to use the knowledge they gain to carry our culture and 
country forward. As the sponsor of the History Honor Society, she 
continues the learning process by having members adopt a human rights 
issue and learn how history affects life today.
  She is usually first in line to volunteer for training to learn new 
technology and software. She also organizes an annual gift certificate 
for Langley custodians and food service employees and dedicates time 
outside classes to help students who may be struggling and she can 
frequently be found spending one-on-one time with students in the 
afternoons and on Saturdays.
  Her sense of humor, a commitment to scholarship, learning, empathy, 
flexibility, and an ability to bring her infectious passion into the 
classroom are what makes Brigitte Lavey such a dedicated teacher. She 
has also received Langley's DeBusk Award and Human Relations Award and 
Fairfax County's History Teacher of the Year award. She was named a 
Fulbright Scholar for China and has twice been a National Endowment for 
the Humanities fellow.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate Brigitte Lavey for her dedication to 
her students and wish her continued success as she mentors and teaches 
our next generations.

                          ____________________