John Cavanaugh, who is celebrating 40 years of teaching at the Congressional Schools of Virginia, has been named a finalist for the 2016 Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award. He was also recently recognized for his 40 years at the school by Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, who read a statement honoring him on the House floor on Tuesday, April 22.

Since joining Congressional’s faculty in 1976, Mr. Cavanaugh, who teaches 7th and 8th Grade History and Latin, has been described as an “icon” and “shepherd” by colleagues and students alike. Over the past four decades, Mr. Cavanaugh has served Congressional School as a teacher, administrator, mentor and leader.

Passionate about teaching, he relishes seeing his students learn. “I love to see the light bulb go off for kids. I can see it in their eyes. Sometimes there is an obvious ‘aha’ moment, other times it is just an expression,” he said in a press release about his being named a finalist for the Washington Post award. For more information, visit congressionalschools.org.