DBHS Division Teachers of the Year 2020-2021
Congratulations to Jazmine Silver, Jared Kaitz and Barbara Vanderheyden for being chosen by their peers as 20-21 Division Teachers of the Year. They are now candidates for Diamond Bar High School Teacher of the Year.
AWARD PRESENTATION VIDEOS:
JARED KAITZ - English/ELD, World Languages, Visual & Performing Arts
The English/ELD, World Languages, Visual & Performing Arts Division Teacher of the Year is Drama Director Jared Kaitz. Jared has gone above and beyond seamlessly transitioning from in-person productions to virtual productions. He holds daily after school virtual practices; he writes, directs, produces, choreographs, and films each show. He then creates and sews all the costumes and organizes and prepares individualized costume pick up/drop off for cast members. After all that, he spends countless hours splicing/editing productions together for live YouTube performances.
Jared is a team player. He helps to support his DB colleagues in both the Performing Arts department and the English department and he collaborates with WVUSD elementary and middle schools to provide program experience for all interested students. In addition, he invites industry professionals to serve as motivating guest speakers for his students. Through his guidance, his students have created opportunities and/or supported events to include Black History Month, Wellness Wednesday, and Kindness Week.
Throughout this year, Jared has worked nonstop for his students and his program. Virtual productions for first semester include: "Clue", "Christmas Carol" "The Nutcracker," and many cabarets. Second semester virtual productions include Children's Theatre's productions "Wreck It Ralph," and "Inside Out." Coming soon is the all-school spring musical "The Wedding Singer" and a modified version of last year's never performed "Phantom of the Opera." Congratulations Jared. Thank you for your dedication to your students, to your program, and to Diamond Bar High School. We appreciate you.
Jared is a team player. He helps to support his DB colleagues in both the Performing Arts department and the English department and he collaborates with WVUSD elementary and middle schools to provide program experience for all interested students. In addition, he invites industry professionals to serve as motivating guest speakers for his students. Through his guidance, his students have created opportunities and/or supported events to include Black History Month, Wellness Wednesday, and Kindness Week.
Throughout this year, Jared has worked nonstop for his students and his program. Virtual productions for first semester include: "Clue", "Christmas Carol" "The Nutcracker," and many cabarets. Second semester virtual productions include Children's Theatre's productions "Wreck It Ralph," and "Inside Out." Coming soon is the all-school spring musical "The Wedding Singer" and a modified version of last year's never performed "Phantom of the Opera." Congratulations Jared. Thank you for your dedication to your students, to your program, and to Diamond Bar High School. We appreciate you.
JAZMINE SLVER - Math & Science
The Math and Science Teacher of the Year is Jazmine Silver. Jazmine is an outgoing and positive influence to both students and staff. She is dedicated, hardworking, cares about her students and is not afraid to use technology to reach her students. Her use of technology enhances her students learning and shows her passion for teaching. Jazmine goes above and beyond to design creative things inside and outside of the classroom. Her colleagues describe her as extremely helpful and a valuable member of the DBHS Staff, who will volunteer for anything if it has a positive impact on students.
Jazmine is a mentor to teachers and aspiring teachers. She is willing to create workshops and teach fellow teachers so that they can grow in their practice. She has been extremely helpful to teachers throughout this year with advice and her willingness to help with everything including helping teachers adjust to the new technology when we went virtual.
Jazmine is also very well rounded, not only helping inside the classroom but also outside the classroom with her work as a coach and class advisor. She pours so much time into advising and helping to create activities and memories for our seniors like The Senior Olympics. Jazmine has dedicated so much time to the senior class and has developed amazing plans and activities for the end of the year like Senior Sunset and Senior Replay just to name a few. Jazmine stands out because she goes over and beyond expectations to be a successful teacher in her classes as well as being a coach, class advisor, and tech coach to her peers. Congratulations and Thank You Jazmine for ALL that you do!
Jazmine is a mentor to teachers and aspiring teachers. She is willing to create workshops and teach fellow teachers so that they can grow in their practice. She has been extremely helpful to teachers throughout this year with advice and her willingness to help with everything including helping teachers adjust to the new technology when we went virtual.
Jazmine is also very well rounded, not only helping inside the classroom but also outside the classroom with her work as a coach and class advisor. She pours so much time into advising and helping to create activities and memories for our seniors like The Senior Olympics. Jazmine has dedicated so much time to the senior class and has developed amazing plans and activities for the end of the year like Senior Sunset and Senior Replay just to name a few. Jazmine stands out because she goes over and beyond expectations to be a successful teacher in her classes as well as being a coach, class advisor, and tech coach to her peers. Congratulations and Thank You Jazmine for ALL that you do!
BARBARA VANDERHEYDEN - Health/PE, Social Science, SPED, Technology, Pathways, & CTE/ROP
The Health/PE, Social Science, SPED, Technology, Pathways, & CTE/ROP Division Teacher of the Year is Barbara Vanderheyden. As an Education Specialist in our Special Education department, Barbara manages a caseload of 22 students. She uses a caring and professional approach, taking time to connect with each of these students, offering personalized support to ensure that their unique needs are addressed. This includes constant monitoring of their academic performance in all classes, and providing guidance and counseling to students and parents throughout the school year. She goes above and beyond to deliver well organized IEP meetings, with a focus on advocacy and celebrating the efforts and growth of her SPED students.
As a classroom instructor, Barbara is dedicated to her craft of instruction and learning! With a strong focus on preparing students for life after high school, Barbara has expanded the curriculum of her classes to include critical thinking skills, supported by real world experiences. She has developed multiple modules for her students which go beyond the typical science curriculum, incorporating coding, robotics and engineering principles, which would typically be overlooked in a special education setting. Her use of scaffolded instructional models provide her students with the necessary supports to help them explore such themes in meaningful ways. She teaches classes across multiple subject areas, including SPED Science & Pre-Algebra, as well as a co-teaching model of ERWC, using an engaging and adaptive curriculum to meet needs of English Learners and students with IEPs, focusing on developing their global citizenship skills.
Barbara has actively sought opportunities to serve DBHS as a staff leader, notably as an active facilitator for the Data Team and WASC process. As a Co-Coordinator for the 2021-2022 WASC visitation, Barbara works collaboratively with her colleagues and the administrative team to organize site efforts for our WASC self-study and Site Action Plan. After earning Level-2 Google Certification, Barbara utilized her knowledge to co-host multiple technology workshops to support her colleagues throughout Distance Learning, posting technology tips and training tutorials on the digital “Hitching Post”. She is currently serving as a master teacher, supporting an aspiring SPED educator. We greatly appreciate the efforts that Barbara has contributed to supporting the students, parents and staff of DBHS, and look forward to celebrating her as the 2020-2021 Global Foundations Teacher of the Year. Congratulations and the Thank You, Barbara!!!
As a classroom instructor, Barbara is dedicated to her craft of instruction and learning! With a strong focus on preparing students for life after high school, Barbara has expanded the curriculum of her classes to include critical thinking skills, supported by real world experiences. She has developed multiple modules for her students which go beyond the typical science curriculum, incorporating coding, robotics and engineering principles, which would typically be overlooked in a special education setting. Her use of scaffolded instructional models provide her students with the necessary supports to help them explore such themes in meaningful ways. She teaches classes across multiple subject areas, including SPED Science & Pre-Algebra, as well as a co-teaching model of ERWC, using an engaging and adaptive curriculum to meet needs of English Learners and students with IEPs, focusing on developing their global citizenship skills.
Barbara has actively sought opportunities to serve DBHS as a staff leader, notably as an active facilitator for the Data Team and WASC process. As a Co-Coordinator for the 2021-2022 WASC visitation, Barbara works collaboratively with her colleagues and the administrative team to organize site efforts for our WASC self-study and Site Action Plan. After earning Level-2 Google Certification, Barbara utilized her knowledge to co-host multiple technology workshops to support her colleagues throughout Distance Learning, posting technology tips and training tutorials on the digital “Hitching Post”. She is currently serving as a master teacher, supporting an aspiring SPED educator. We greatly appreciate the efforts that Barbara has contributed to supporting the students, parents and staff of DBHS, and look forward to celebrating her as the 2020-2021 Global Foundations Teacher of the Year. Congratulations and the Thank You, Barbara!!!