NJHS Teachers Named Reading Award Recipients

Two Newark Junior High School teachers are the recipients of awards through the Alameda County Reading Association.

English teacher Jason Tarn will be receiving the David H. Russell Award for Excellence in Reading Instruction and para professional Maria Huffer has been awarded the Walter J. McHugh Award for assistance in Reading Instruction.

The following is information provided regarding the two teachers as provided by Vice Principal James McGee as it was published in the Alameda County Reading Association newsletter.

The winner of the David H. Russell Award for Excellence in Reading Instruction is Jason Tarn. Mr. Tarn is a 7th grade English Language Arts teacher at Newark Junior High School in the . Mr. Tarn is a very reflective teacher of reading who is constantly revising his teaching style and curriculum to best teach and assess his students. He is very well respected by student, teachers and parents. Jason has worked as a Project WIRED coach and mentor for staff in the area of reading and writing instruction through the Enhancing Education Through Technology grant at NJHS. Jason is a wonderful classroom teacher in reading. He has spent countless hours improving his craft for the benefit of his students and for the benefit of the staff at Newark Junior High School. Congratulations Jason!

The winner of the Walter J. McHugh Award for Assistance in Reading instruction is Maria Huffer. Ms. Huffer is a para professional in Newark Junior High School’s RSP English Language Arts/Read 180 classes in the Newark Unified School District. She works with students in small groups, as well as one-on-one to assist the students in improving their literacy skills. Maria works with the classroom teacher to implement research based reading strategies to benefit all students. Ms. Huffer suggests new books for students based on their interests and strives for all students to become comfortable with reading and to have confidence in their reading and literacy abilities. Congratulations Maria!

Both Tarn and Huffer will be awarded at the Alameda County Reading Association’s annual Awards and Installation dinner scheduled for May 15.