Mr. Bakelaar Selected as National Review Panelist

If you have been a part of Hartfield for any amount of time, you probably know Mr. Bakelaar. John Bakelaar is currently a part-time history teacher and cares deeply for his students. Before his role as an Upper School history teacher, Mr. Bakelaar held the title of Middle School Principal. Most recently, he is representing Hartfield by being selected to be a National Review panelist for the National Science Foundation's reviews of Applications/proposals for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching and NSF STEM proposals. This is a high honor and we are proud to announce his participation!
This honor is particularly special because Mr. Bakelaar was once the 2005 recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math Teaching, presented by President George W. Bush. When asked about his experience in 2005, Mr. Bakelaar was happy to share! When speaking about his involvement with the National Science Foundation, he shared “[the process] is a very rigorous, nine-months that includes a great deal of written material and questions to answer, as well as a one-hour uninterrupted video of me teaching a Math lesson. When I was interviewed by the NSF, I was shocked to realize I had actually won the award. Pat and I went to Washington D.C. where I met both Laura and George W Bush in the White House and we spent a week in Congressional meetings and State dinners.”. 
 
Reminiscing about his time as a candidate makes his time as a panelist full of appreciation for the teachers around the country in the school systems. As a panelist, Mr. Bakelaar will review 11 candidates’ applications. “To see eleven great teachers from all over our country teach their lessons. I feel I will be able to bring back some great examples of teaching to share with our great teachers here at Hartfield Academy. I Thank God for this incredible opportunity to share great teaching practices.”, he shared when asked what he was most looking forward to.
 
There are many great educators selected as panelists, and we are thrilled that Mr. Bakelaar is one from Hartfield. We are blessed to have him!
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Hartfield Academy is fully accredited by both the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the MidSouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS), the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Southern Association of independent Schools (SAIS).