[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 157 (Monday, October 26, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE 2016 VIRGINIA TEACHER OF THE YEAR, MRS. NATALIE 
                              DiFUSCO-FUNK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 26, 2015

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks to congratulate the 
2016 Virginia Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Natalie DiFusco-Funk. She is a 
fifth-grade teacher at West Salem Elementary School in Salem, Virginia, 
where my two sons attend school.
  According to press reports, DiFusco-Funk earned her Bachelor of Arts 
in Education and her Master of Education at Boston College, and in 
2013, earned her National Board Certification in Literacy. She is a 12-
year veteran of the classroom who has been teaching in Salem City 
Schools for five years. Previously, she taught in Botetourt County as a 
reading specialist and also taught in schools in Massachusetts.
  ``Natalie is an exceptional teacher and a consummate professional who 
positively changes the lives of young people and facilitates the growth 
and development of her colleagues,'' said Salem Superintendent H. Alan 
Seibert.
  DiFusco-Funk, who has said she felt called to teach since she was in 
fifth grade, is the first Salem City Schools teacher to have earned 
this recognition. She will now compete to be the National Teacher of 
the Year.
  She said, ``I told my students--like Spider-Man says, `With great 
power comes great responsibility,' and so it is my responsibility to 
represent the field of education well and to speak on behalf of all the 
teachers of Virginia, and take it to the White House.''
  On behalf of many in the district, I thank Mrs. Natalie DiFusco-Funk 
for all she has done for our area, and congratulate her for this hard-
earned recognition and praise. Best wishes for many more years of 
success.

                          ____________________