Perry Appoints Board Of Education Chair

AUSTIN (July 1, 2011)--Gov. Rick Perry has named Barbara Cargill to serve as chair of the State Board of Education.

During the legislative session, Democrats blocked his original nominee for the chairmanship, Gail Lowe of Lampasas.

Cargill is a science teacher who was elected to the board in 2004 to represent District 8 in East Texas.

She is a Christian who disputes the theory of evolution and voted to require that the theory's weaknesses be taught in classrooms.

http://www.barbaracargill.com/bio.htm

Barbara Cargill grew up in Memphis, Tennesse and earned top honors at Briarcrest High School - the wonderful Christian school featured in the movie “The Blind Side”. She earned her undergraduate degree in education from Baylor University and a Masters of Science in Science Education degree from Texas Woman’s University.

Barbara has taught and shared science with children in the Dallas and Houston areas for almost twenty years. She has received teaching awards such as the “Thanks to Teachers” National Excellence Award, the A. J. Sales Educational Award, and a National Audubon Society Award. Barbara was also nominated for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics teaching and was a Science Teacher’s Association of Texas Outstanding Teacher nominee.

As Director of “Wonders of the Woodlands Science Camp”, Barbara authors or co-authors every curriculum for which the program is so well known. Barbara served on the Garland ISD Textbook Selection Committee, co-wrote curriculums for Hurst Euless Bedford ISD, and was the team leader for the district science curriculum development.

She has presented teacher workshops for Conroe ISD, Region XI, and for many Science Teachers’ Association of Texas Conferences and Houston Area Early Childhood conferences. She participated in the National Alliance of Business Education Symposium in Washington, D.C., as an honoree to study business and educational partnerships.

In 1989 Barbara traveled to the International Science Fair as a teacher-sponsor for one of her students. She founded “Project Nature” for Hurst Euless Bedford ISD, which allowed her high school science students to teach science to local elementary school students.

Barbara’s interest in creative, hands-on learning for children and a love for science motivated her to found the Wonders of the Woodlands Science Camp program in 1995. She still serves as its director today. (www.wowsciencecamp.com) With a team of dynamic certified teachers and fantastic curriculum, the program attracts over 1,000 children each summer. Barbara is the curriculum director as well, and she is often asked about the secret to the program’s success. The secret is really no secret at all! It is hands-on, hands-on, hands-on...kids love it and they learn best from it!

Barbara started using animals in her classroom years ago because they provided an amazing bond between Barbara and her students. Many high risk students improved their grades and conduct just to earn the privilege to come in early and work with the classroom animals. And now Barbara uses the animals to educate children all over the Houston area. The animals still provide an instant bond and hands-on learning with children of all ages!

Barbara also works closely with science teachers through in-services and consulting work. She volunteers to deliver the Science Camp discovery boxes to many local teachers. In area schools she leads various Science Outreach Programs, usually with her 50+ critters! Birthday parties, Family Science Nights, and other science programs keep Barbara busy year round. It is estimated that in 2003 alone she has worked with over 3,000 children through her science teaching programs and “WOW! Science Camp” program.

In addition to her work in science education, Barbara is a sustainer with the Junior League of North Harris County. She served for many years in the League in programs such as “In Tune With Kids”, Mercer Arboretum box docent, and “Sneaker Seekers.” She works with the youth at The Woodlands United Methodist Church. She frequently serves as a judge at the Science and Technology Science Fair in Conroe ISD.

Barbara serves on the College Park High School PTO Board and is the founder of the “Science Supporters” programs at Collins Intermediate and David Elementary. Her “WOW! From the Heart” program arranges for animals to visit sick children or children who need comfort due to difficult situations in their lives. Barbara is also on the Advisory Board for The Woodlands Children’s Museum.

Barbara Cargill considers it a privilege to use her education, experience, and skills to serve as a voice for the children of Texas on the State Board of Education.

Well the Left doesn't want home runs but U.S. states' business communities sure do.

Legal gamesmanship threatens our energy future (Montana looks to Rick Perry's TX model) “Texas Gov. Rick Perry is able to boast about job growth under his watch, noting that over 265,000 jobs, or nearly 37 percent of the jobs created nationwide since the summer of 2009, have been created in the Lone Star state.

He credits this growth to a few simple conditions: low taxes, a regulatory climate that is fair and predictable, and a legal system that limits frivolous lawsuits. According to the Wall Street Journal, nearly one-fourth of the 70 companies that left California this year relocated to Texas.

When new or relocating companies and investors survey the landscape and consider Montana, what do they see? Well, when it comes to natural-resource development, the landscape looks risky. ….”

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