Submitted
- By Earlene Ward
Four new teachers
have been hired at Yosemite High School recently to fill positions
next year that will be left vacant through retirements.
Tamara Carter, a 1999 YHS graduate, will teach English; Carol Hendrickson
will teach art and Advanced Placement art; T. Chad Houck will teach
AP physics and chemistry and Dr. Gerard Klimbal will teach AP physics
and chemistry.
Carter, who is currently student teaching at YHS, earned her bachelor
of arts degree in English from Fresno Pacific University. She will
receive her teaching credential this month from California State
University, Fresno. She served as a judge for the Madera County
History Day competition this year. She volunteered for a year and
a half in the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program. Carter has
also been a Younglife leader and was on the summer staff at Camp
Woodleaf. She received the Fresno Pacific University Provost’s Scholarship
and was recognized at FPU for academic achievement. She also received
the J.J. Heibert Scholarship at FPU and she was named to the Dean’s
List at the college. Hendrickson has most recently been a first
grade teacher at Oakhurst Elementary. She has also taught at Spring
Valley Elementary and she worked as a substitute teacher for the
Bass Lake, Chawanakee and Raymond school districts. She was the
art specialist for Gateway Christian School in 1993-94. She earned
her teaching credential from Patten College in Oakland. Her bachelor
of arts degree in art is from Bethel College in St. Paul, Minn.
Houck is coming to YHS from the San Marino Unified School District
where he taught physics, was the activities director, was freshmen
orientation Link crew coordinator and was on the Digital High School
committee and was a teacher technology leader. He also was a swim
coach and water polo coach. Other subjects Houck has taught include
algebra, world history, anatomy and physiology
Houck has been a volunteer for Alliance and Vision for Under-represented
Americans, Stepping Stones and Cal State Los Angeles Access Center:
Middle School Science Scholar Program. He earned his bachelor of
engineering, mechanical engineering, degree from Vanderbilt University
in Tennessee; his masters of science in higher education, postsecondary
administration and student affairs from the University of Southern
California and his teaching credential and administrative credential
from National University. Houck was on the Vanderbilt Engineering
Dean’s List, was a member of the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society and
he received the Texaco Foundation Scholarship and the Vanderbilt
Engineering Department Scholarship.
He was on the USC water ski team, serving as vice president and
coach and he was the Vanderbilt Club Water Polo assistant coach
and player.
He is also an Eagle Scout.
Dr. Klimbal graduated with distinction in 1996 from the doctoral
program in curriculum and instruction from Northern Arizona University
with a emphasis in science education. He completed training in applied
biology and chemistry, principles of technology and “train the trainer”
programs at the Center for Occupational Research and Development
in Waco, Texas. His masters of arts is in teaching of physical sciences
from Northern Arizona University where he graduated with honors.
His bachelor of science degree is in biology from Oakland University
in Rochester, Mich.
He will be coming to YHS from Orange Unified School District where
he has been a science teacher and learning leader. He is also a
part-time professor in the physical science department at Chapman
University, Orange Campus. Previously he worked for Chapman University,
Modesto Academic Center, as assistant professor and single subject
credential coordinator. From 1986-1997 he taught physics, academic
chemistry and general chemistry at Atwater High School. His first
teaching job was at St. George School in Stockton as a sixth through
eighth grade science and math teacher.
He currently serves on the National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards: Adolescence and Young Adulthood/Science: 14-18+.
He has been a presenter for the National Science Teachers Association
and the American Chemical Society. Dr. Klimbal has worked as investigator
and director of science grant programs.
YHS Principal Steve Raupp is very pleased with the new staff members.
“We think these are outstanding candidates,” he said, “and we are
looking forward to them joining the staff at Yosemite High School.
Yosemite Joint Union High School District Superintendent Bill McCabe
is also pleased with the new staff members. “We are very pleased
to add highly qualified instructors who will raise academic standards
and challenge students to maximize their academic potential,” he
said.
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