Natalie DiFusco-Funk is a third grade teacher at West Salem Elementary School in Salem, Virginia, and the 2016 Virginia state teacher of the year. Natalie earned both her bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree as a reading specialist from Boston College. She began her career in Newton, Massachusetts, and moved to Virginia in 2010 after meeting her husband. In Virginia she served as a reading specialist for a year, and since 2011 has been a third and fifth grade classroom teacher. When Natalie was first trained in Responsive Classroom, she was thrilled to find an approach that aligned perfectly with her educational philosophy. In 2017, she became a Responsive Classroom consulting teacher and has enjoyed spending her summers training educators from across the country and world. Natalie also has a passion for writing and is a regular blogger for NWEA. Natalie’s love for learning is fueled by her young son, Frankie, who teaches her life lessons on a daily basis.