[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 70 (Friday, May 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO CYNTHIA K. RAFFETY

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 9, 2014

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cynthia K. 
Raffety, who on June 13, 2014 will step down from an exceptional career 
as a public school mathematics teacher, a profession in which she has 
been engaged over the past four decades.
  Born in Baltimore, MD on February 23, 1948, Cynthia is the daughter 
of Samuel and Ellen Kirby, an engraver and a nurse, respectively. She 
graduated from Eastern High School in 1966 and attended the University 
of Maryland, where she earned a BA in Education--Mathematics. In 1991, 
Cynthia obtained her Masters of Education from West Virginia Wesleyan 
College (WVWC).
  Upon graduation from the University of Maryland, Cynthia served as a 
public school teacher in Prince George's Co., MD, and Glouster Co., NJ. 
After a stint as a stay-at-home mom in the mid-70s to raise her two 
children, Jennifer and Robert, Cynthia returned to teaching in Fairfax 
Co., VA in 1980, and has been active in the classroom ever since.
  Cynthia's most notable contributions as an educator took place in the 
Upshur County (WV) Public School System. From 1983 to 1990, Cynthia 
taught 8th Grade Math at the Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School as a 
member of Team H. She then transitioned to the Buckhannon-Upshur High 
School, where from 1990 onward Cynthia instructed a wide range of math 
courses, including: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-
Calculus, and Dual Credit College Algebra and College Trigonometry. 
Along the way, in 1991, Cynthia picked up her Masters of Education from 
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC).
  Outside of her duties as a public school teacher, Cynthia also serves 
as an Adjunct Professor of Mathematics Education at WVWC and Fairmont 
State University. She also served as Program Director for WVWC's Summer 
Institute, as well as lead instructor of SAT Math Prep. Cynthia 
routinely opens her high school classroom to undergraduate and graduate 
student teachers, as well as students engaged in clinical education 
research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) 
education.
  In addition to her excellence as a math educator, Cynthia also 
graciously volunteers her time as the faculty advisor to several school 
organizations, including the alcohol, smoking, and drug-awareness 
activities of Teen Institute/RAZEWV, and the civic and volunteer 
undertakings of Interact (Youth Rotary).
  In all of her cherished duties--wife, mother, teacher, mentor, 
advisor, role-model, and civic leader--Cynthia has displayed 
unparalleled spirit, drive, and devotion. I am, therefore, honored and 
pleased to have this opportunity to call to the attention of my 
colleagues the extraordinary accomplishments of Cynthia K. Raffety. I 
admire Cynthia's idealism and life-long commitment to her community, 
and I join her family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues in thanking 
Cynthia for her life of service.

                          ____________________