WS Chronicle

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R, 5th District-N.C.) hosted Dustin Haley and Cristofer Wiley of Forsyth County for her annual Teacher in Congress Internship in Washington, DC. in mid-July.

“Every year I look forward to offering this internship for educators to see the inner-workings of Congress and the federal government while experiencing the day-to-day life of a member of Congress,” said Foxx. “By supplying teachers with hands-on opportunities, it is my goal to help local schools enhance their civics and history curriculum.  This year, I accepted two talented teachers from Forsyth County into the program and am thrilled that they have returned to North Carolina with new insights and perspectives.”

Dustin Haley is a graduate of Grand Canyon University going into his third year at Walkertown High School, where he teaches 10th-12th grade civics and economics as well as psychology.  He also serves as the school’s Inter Club Council coordinator and is a marching band assistant for several high schools in the state.

He said, “Experiencing this learning opportunity has been, by far, more than I could ever have imagined.  Seeing Congress at work and shadowing the everyday happenings of Congresswoman Foxx has been an eye-opening experience that I am excited to share with my students and colleagues.”

Cristofer Wiley teaches 10th grade civics and economics at R.J. Reynolds High School, where he also serves as the adviser for the Youth and Government legislature program through the YMCA.  He is a graduate of Wake Forest University, where he also received his master’s degree in education.

Wiley stated, “Representative Foxx’s Teacher in Congress program provides the rare opportunity to observe Congress and its members at work – and dispels a number of the more cynical impressions of how many people assume it works.  These experiences have left me more thoughtful about how I teach civics, politics and the civil discourse.”

Over the course of a week, Haley and Wiley accompanied Foxx during much of her daily schedule and toured numerous historic and government landmarks.  They attended a hearing in the House Committee on Education and Workforce and a markup in the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, watched votes  and met with N.C. Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis.  

Also, their internship included exposure to research resources at the Library of Congress, National Archives, and the offices of the House Clerk and Archivist.