A trio of Brentwood Union School District teachers were honored by the California League of Middle Schools Region 4 Wednesday night during their awards dinner.
BUSD teachers honored included: Polly Gallagher, Tamara Reed and Joe Thornhill.
Superintendent Dana Eaton stated that he was proud of the educators and how they serve the students and represent the District.
“We are tremendously proud that three teachers from Brentwood were selected for such a prestigious honor from all of Region 4. Mr. Thornhill, Mrs. Gallagher and Mrs. Reed are well deserving and a great source of pride for our school district.” Dana Eaton
Here is a look at the bios for each teacher:
Polly Gallagher, Edna Hill Middle School
Current position: 20 years – Years in Education: 22 years
Polly Gallagher is the kind of teacher who believes any student can succeed. This is just one of the qualities that makes her an amazing teacher. She has the ability to connect with each of her students, and advocate for their needs. Polly is committed to the success of our entire learning community…and has spent an extraordinary amount of time discussing and creating structures and processes. Included in her leadership roles at Edna Hill Middle School are: M-Cats (6th-8th grade interdisciplinary team) Team Leader; 7th grade Math Lead; and 7th grade Field Trip Coordinator. Additionally Polly has been our STAR Testing Coordinator since the inception, and has seamlessly executed this process from start to finish. Quite simply, Polly is a master.
Polly has consistently been on the cutting edge of middle grades research and practice; and has developed numerous professional development presentations on various topics. She has enhanced many educators with research-based strategies. This has positively impacted student achievement and connectivity for not only Edna Hill Middle School, but additionally our school district and the many educators who have been privileged to attend her presentations at conferences on curriculum mapping, formative and performance assessments, instructional strategies and professional learning communities.
Holding high expectations for her students, Polly matches needs with instructional strategies to increase potential. She is masterful with data, and uses it to inform instruction as well as make informed decisions for her department and our professional learning community.
Commitment and dedication extends beyond the school day for this talented educator. She is available to students and colleagues before and after school. She spends countless hours planning with colleagues to find the best strategies to meet the needs of students. This is simply because Polly thoroughly understands the needs of middle level students.
Polly’s talent as an educator has positively impacted Edna Hill Middle School and our recognition as a School to Watch-Taking Center Stage Model Middle School.
Polly Gallagher is a dedicated, thoughtful teacher…and a leader on our path toward continued success!
Tamara Reed, Bristow Middle School
Current position: 4 years – Years in Education: 10+ years
When staff, students and parents are asked for the name of teachers who make a difference at Bristow – Tamara’s name comes readily. Mrs. Reed is an advocate for her Special Day Class students and all students at Bristow Middle School. This has demonstrated in her leadership (both formal and informal), teaching in the classroom, commitment to ensuring equity for all students, and being a life-long learner for herself and others through professional development and a commitment to the underserved.
Mrs. Reed consistently provides opportunities for her students to take part in a variety of programs at Bristow and within the community. She encourages her students to be involved in clubs at school, attend school dances, participate in school competitions, and become members of the Special Olympics and our Unified Sports teams. Her presence at these events brings a strength to her students that helps them grow and learn on so many levels. Tamara’s commitment to getting her students involved has affected the entire Bristow community in bringing an awareness of the diversity of our students. Truly understanding the middle school learner, Tamara encourages her students’ independence and expects them to achieve their highest potential.
Tamara has played a critical role here at Bristow in both formal and informal leadership roles. Mrs. Reed joined the Bristow Middle School staff in 2011-2012 school year. She was tasked with creating and maintaining a Special Day classroom on the Bristow campus. She has provided valuable insight and direction at the site level on the most appropriate ways to include ALL students in the middle school culture. She is an exemplary role model and mentor for staff and students alike, which has been vital in establishing the additional SDC classroom and a school and community culture which accepts diversity.
Mrs. Reed has done an outstanding job at creating a positive learning environment in a classroom that on average has 12 students and at least 4 paraprofessionals. Mrs. Reed has worked with the paraprofessionals in her classroom to create an atmosphere where all are accepted and met at the door with the mutual challenge to learn. Over the past three years the same culture of curiosity has been shared with every classroom her students or staff go to during the school day. Her students participate in several general education classes throughout the school day and are actively engaged in the curriculum and the social aspects of the middle school.
Joe Thornhill, J. Adams Middle School
Current position: 3 years – Years in Education: 7 years
Mr. Thornhill possesses unparalleled managerial skills. He pays close attention to the fine details; the rapport, routine, and rigor that are the backbone of a highly successful academic environment. His attention to detail is impressive and is appreciated by his students, who function within his classroom with a tremendous amount of independence and autonomy, attributes we strive to develop in the 21st Century learners who populate our classrooms.
Mr. Thornhill is driven by a passion for education and, like the poet W.B. Yeats, he views education not as “the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” He is eager to engage with students and staff in ways that provoke thought and inspire learning. He served as a BTSA mentor, and mentees note that his affirmation is always very detailed and his diagnosis of areas for growth is always pinpoint precise and coupled with practical guidance that can be implemented quickly and easily. He loves to “talk shop,” whether discussing an NGSS approach to a unit on ecosystems or the subtle nuances of leading change as the site science lead. In fact, it is there, in the area of leadership, in which he truly excels.
Mr. Thornhill’s is leading his department to serve as a model for our school community, showcasing the kind of enthusiastic and collaborative dialogue that is the hallmark of a healthy professional learning community. They have been willing to “fishbowl” a unit-planning meeting in front of the entire staff, in an effort to demonstrate how they navigate conflict and disagreement with the utmost professionalism and with the needs of students dictating the direction of the conversation. This transparency and intentional vulnerability sends a clear message to all that professional learning is important and that developing our excellence as a PLC is the ultimate goal. Mr. Thornhill helps shape the climate of the campus by leading the charge in that endeavor.
Mr. Thornhill embraces this belief in his investment in many areas of our school and district community. He has served as a science fair coordinator, assessment committee member, Green Society club advisor, softball and soccer coach, BTSA mentor, and site lead. He cultivates strong relationships, clearly understanding the importance of being invested and approachable. Staff and students already respect him, admire him, and trust him. His skill generates respect, his passion – admiration, and his warmth and friendship – trust. I must point out that it is unusual to find this combination of qualities balanced so well in any one person. Mr. Thornhill is truly a person of a singular and outstanding character.
