The William S. Hart Union School District Board of Governors will recognize the district’s 2018-2019 Teachers of the Year at the board’s next regular meeting Wednesday night, Sept. 26.

Teachers of the Year by their individual schools are: Wayne Shapiro, Academy of the Canyons; Rebekah West, Arroyo Seco Junior High School; Stacey Killinger, Bowman High School; Dennis Young, Canyon High School; Marianella Lora, Golden Oak Adult School; Eric Harris, Golden Valley High School; Erica Hardbarger, Hart High School; Jennifer Putt, La Mesa Junior High School; Eric Olsson, Placerita Junior High School; Kristine Spector, Rancho Pico Junior High School; Melinda Moore, Rio Norte Junior High School; B.J. Layton, Saugus High School; Andrew Raskin, Sequoia School; Nicole Terranova, Sierra Vista Junior High School; Sarah E. Ford, Valencia High School; and Darcy Rojas, West Ranch High School.

The board will also recognize Erica Hardbarger as the Hart District Teacher of the year for the 2018/19 school year. Hardbarger taught Biology and Advanced Placement Biology at Hart High School from September 2001 through June of 2018. She was a favorite of both students and staff, and her enthusiasm and passion were contagious.

Hardbarger was a long-standing member of the Professional Development Team at Hart High School, and her ability to connect and educate her peers helped her prepare her for her new role as a Teacher on Special Assignment working with science teachers across the District. She is very talented, and the Hart District is fortunate to have her working with science teachers at every site.

The California Teacher of the Year program, which began in 1972, has brought recognition to exemplary teachers, paying tribute to their resolute efforts. With the District’s many outstanding teachers, staff takes pride in identifying and honoring its own heroes of Hart District classrooms. Selection criteria include personal growth, commitment, personal attributes and professional skills.

Honorees and their school principals have been invited to the board meeting.