[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 130 (Tuesday, September 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING JENNIFER CASTELAZO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 6, 2011

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and 
pay tribute to Mrs. Jennifer Castelazo, a truly remarkable person who 
has been chosen to be the Napa County Teacher of the Year for 2012.
  Mrs. Castelazo has always had a profound love for teaching and it is 
clearly visible with her students. She has been teaching Chemistry, 
Honors Chemistry, and Advanced Placement Chemistry at Vintage High 
School since 1998.
  Born in Massachusetts but raised in Livermore, California, she 
obtained an undergraduate degree in microbiology and her Master's of 
Science in food science and nutrition at California Polytechnic San 
Luis Obispo. She is a credentialed teacher in Physical and Life 
Science.
  Throughout her teaching career, Mrs. Castelazo has volunteered for 
leadership positions on her campus, including twice participating on 
Western Association of Schools and Colleges leadership teams and 
serving as the 9th grade House lead teacher. She has supported student 
enrichment activities, serving as advisor to the Adventure Club, the 
GREEN Club, and senior class. Mrs. Castelazo has also led student 
sports, coaching Junior Varsity Girls' Soccer, Boys' Varsity Tennis and 
teaching the foreign exchange student summer program physical education 
course.
  Mrs. Castelazo has been married for 15 years to Mark Castelazo. She 
is the mother of 12-year-old Maddie, 9-year-old Connor, and 7-year-old 
Ethan, and is often seen coaching her daughter's soccer games on 
Saturday mornings.
  Mrs. Castelazo makes herself available to all students to ensure they 
are achieving their highest potential and works to ignite a passion for 
the sciences. She is a natural teacher and a leader among her peers. It 
is therefore appropriate that we honor her at this time for her service 
to Napa students and the community.