Timmy Kosaka, a homeschooled student from Auburn, has received national recognition for his academic prowess.
Kosaka, son of Mark and Kate Kosaka, recently was honored at a Baltimore, Md., awards ceremony for gifted children held by The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY).
Kosaka was recognized for his exceptional performance on a rigorous, above-grade-level test given to second through eighth grade Talent Search participants. Seventh- and eighth-graders took the SAT or ACT college admissions test. Since 1979, CTY has sought the most academically able elementary and middle school students each year and encouraged their enrollment in CTY’s annual Talent Search,
In addition, Kosaka was among the honor students recognized for their exceptional scores on the ACT or SAT at a ceremony in Durham, N.C., earlier this year.
The Duke University Talent Identification Program’s (Duke TIP) 7th Grade Talent Search identifies students in 16 states who have scored in the 95th percentile on a grade-level achievement test. As part of the program, the academically-talented students take above-level college-entrance exams (SAT or ACT) to learn more about their abilities.
Elsewhere
Eleven teachers in the Auburn School District have earned National Board Certification. They are: Meri Benedict (activities director/health, Auburn Riverside High School); Angela Rigley Berg (language arts, ARHS); Katie Henry (leadership/health, Auburn High); Karen Jenks (fifth grade, Gildo Rey Elementary); Corin Malone (science, ARHS); Eva Means (Spanish, Auburn Mountain High); Julie Moberg (physical education, ARHS); Cheryl Moyd (social studies/psychology, ARHS); Kimberly Nelson (ECE, Lea Hill Elementary); Cheryl Nielsen (fourth grade, Ilalko Elementary); Meghan Wagner (band, ARHS). The certification process, developed by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), is a symbol of professional teaching excellence. Certification is optional and does not replace state licensing. Teachers who participate must pass a rigorous, two-part assessment. The process typically takes one school year, which means teachers spend between 200-400 hours on average compiling their portfolio activities and studying for the written assessment. …
Auburn Mountainview’s Stephanie Keagle achieved certified journalism educator status from the Journalism Education Association. Keagle, in her fifth year at the school, was honored at the fall JEA/NSPA national convention in Kansas City, Mo. Journalism certification recognizes teachers who meet national standards of preparation to teach high school journalism classes and advise student media. …
The Auburn School District Board of Directors recently recognized Seerat Mann, a fifth-grader at Arthur Jacobsen Elementary School, for being an outstanding student on Monday. … The school board presented the Gold Star Volunteer Award to Kristen Bruhahn, who has dedicated more than two decades of service to the district, beginning in 1990 as a PTA parent and most recently, chairing the district’s Safe Walking Routes Committee. … The school board also recognized Treena Daniels, third grade teacher at Lea Hill Elementary School, for her outstanding service. …
Auburn’s Brittany Combs (freshman, zoology) and Michelle Happenny (senior, biology) made the fall honor roll at Oregon State University.
