WHITTIER – Reflecting the Whittier Union High School District commitment to provide equity for every student and maintain high teaching standards, eight teachers have been awarded $25,000 grants by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards as part of a statewide incentive program to retain and train National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) to teach at high-priority schools throughout California.

The grants will be spread out over five years, with the recipients receiving $5,000 annually beginning July 1, 2022. To receive the grant, the recipients – who are all National Board Certified teachers – have agreed to continue teaching at their schools for five years. The grants will be paid through the California Department of Education.

The recipients are: Lindsey Garcia, California High School (physical education and guided studies); Julie Tonkovich, California High School (visual arts); Laura Mejia Torres, California High School (world languages); Virginia Glasscock, California High School (biology and chemistry); Rebecca Doran, California High School (special education); Mark Quintero, California High School (art and English); Josh Rear, California High School (English); and Robin Hernandez, Whittier High School (economics and world history).

In addition to the grants, the NBCT program will provide stipends of $2,500 to any teacher who initiates the process of pursuing National Board Certification while teaching at a high-priority school. A high-priority school is defined as a school with 55% or more students classified as an English language learner, foster youth, or free and reduced lunch eligible.

“Congratulations to our NBCT grant recipients, who have pledged to maintain the highest teaching standards for underrepresented students at high-priority schools,” Superintendent Dr. Monica Oviedo said. “Whittier Union has always held itself to the highest teaching standards. Our hope is that the grants will inspire teachers throughout the District attain National Board Certification status.”