Back

Rio Hondo College News

MEDIA ALERT
3600 Workman Mill Road / Whittier, CA 90601 / 562-692-0921
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Merle Enriquez   Secretary
Department: Planning and Development
Phone:  (562) 692-0921  Ext. 3412
Rio E-Mail: MEnriquez@riohondo.edu

Whittier Union High School District
9401 South Painter Ave. Whittier, CA 90605
(562) 698-8121
PRESS RELEASE

February 21, 2006

Whittier Union High School District Board Commends Pioneer High Teacher Tara Barnhart Biology Teacher Recognized for Attaining National Certification

SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA – The Board of Trustees of the Whittier Union High School District recognized the achievements of Pioneer High School Biology teacher Tara Barnhart at their regular meeting on Tuesday evening, February 14, 2006. Ms. Barnhart recently completed the rigorous process to become a National Board for Professional Standards certified teacher. Ms. Barnhart teaches Advanced Placement and Honors Biology at Pioneer High School.

Assessment of potential National Board Certified teachers is rigorous, time consuming and based on professional standards developed by the National Board. Candidates must submit examples of student work and demonstrate competence in teaching practice as well as their particular content area. Teachers must show how they work with family and community to serve the needs of all students. Teachers must also undergo a practical assessment of their teaching skills. Candidates have up to 30 minutes to respond to each of six exercises. Assessors then evaluate the depth and quality of the response.

“The process has really made me think about my craft. By being more thoughtful about my curriculum design, my students are benefiting from a richer educational experience,” Ms. Barnhart said. “Because I have the opportunity to collaborate twice weekly with my colleagues at Pioneer, I hope they are benefiting and growing from my experience as well.”

Pioneer High Principal Roberta Berg noted that, in addition to her classroom duties, Ms. Barnhart has served as Curriculum Coordinator and WASC accreditation Self-study Coordinator at Pioneer. She was previously named Outstanding Employee at Pioneer High. “Tara Barnhart puts everything she has into her teaching, and her students really get the best education as a result,” said Ms. Berg.

“At Whittier Union, we greatly value our staff and encourage and support our teachers to seek National Board certification,” said Superintendent Sandra Thorstenson. “Teachers like Tara Barnhart are valuable leaders in our schools. Tara is a catalyst for improving instructional practice on her campus and throughout our district. The Whittier Union High School District now has seventeen teachers who have earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.”

Board President Alex Morales noted that Ms. Barnhart is also working to gain her administrative credential. “At Whittier Union, we value our excellent teachers and do everything we can to help them meet their professional goals,” he said. “That translates into great teachers in our classrooms who can become great administrators for our District.”

The Whittier Union High School District provides all students with an engaging, quality standards-based instructional program delivered by a well-trained staff resulting in improved student achievement. Whittier Union High School District works to achieve and maintain excellence in providing a comprehensive education for all students.

.
-RHC-

Back