April 04, 2013

Rep. Vargas Names Neil MacGaffey of Imperial County “April Citizen of the Month”

El Centro, CA (April 4, 2013) –Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) will deliver the “April Citizen of the Month” award  to Imperial Valley resident Neil MacGaffey, on Friday, April 5, 2013 at 1:45 PM at the main entrance of Central Union High School, located at S.10th  St., between W. Brighton Ave. and W. Orange Ave., in El Centro.

Congressman Vargas will acknowledge Neil MacGaffey, a truly outstanding individual who has dedicated his life to sharing his passion for math with his students. Throughout his tenure at Central Union High School (CUHS), he has strived to create a unique and engaging scholastic environment that makes learning math fun and accessible for students in the Imperial Valley.

MacGaffey, who graduated from Georgetown University, is not only an outstanding math teacher, but also coaches the Academic Decathlon team.  Under his tutelage, the Academic Decathlon team has enjoyed continued success and kept their tradition of victory alive.  The team has won at the county level, and as such, has had the distinct privilege of representing Imperial County at the state level. 

His passion for teaching is evident, as he pursued the demanding and challenging National Board Certification. MacGaffey was also recently selected to participate in LearnZillion, a highly competitive program for teachers throughout the U.S. to share ideas and create unique learning experiences for students.  MacGaffey is often described by his colleagues as a creative agent of change and a consummate professional who proposes thoughtful solutions that improve students’ learning experiences. 

“I am so pleased to be able to honor Neil MacGaffey for his incredible accomplishments and tireless dedication to his students,” said Rep. Vargas.  “It is such an inspiration to see a member of our community working so diligently to share his passion for learning with others.  Engaging teachers are a vital part of our educational system and I am thrilled that Neil is leading the charge for creative and compelling learning.”

Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire US/Mexico border.  Vargas was elected to the U.S. Congress in 2012.  He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 – 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 – 2000.