Full Biography for John R. Ackland

Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Rosedale Union School District

Biography of John R. Ackland, professor of biology at Bakersfield College

I was raised and educated in Bloomington, Illinois and moved to California in l965 to teach high school science in the Watts area of Los Angeles. Diane, my wife of thirty years, and I moved to Bakersfield twenty-seven years ago. I have been a twenty-two year resident of Rosedale and both of my children have attended Rosedale Schools. During their elementary school years I worked in their classrooms and assisted with their school science fairs. My wife has taught in the Rosedale District since l986. I have attended the Rosedale Board meetings regularly for the past two years and have been on the Kern High School Parent Advisory Board for the past year.

Taking a sabbatical the spring semester of 1997, I visited area high school biology classes to determine why many students are coming to Bakersfield College ill prepared. I learned all students do not have their own biology textbooks, classes had thirty to forty-five students, and teachers were frustrated in not being able to maintain high standards due to administrative and parental pressure for high grades. Most teachers are doing a good job considering the restraints put on them. I advocate all students at all levels should have textbooks to take home, smaller classes, and meet high standards.

I would like to become a part of the Rosedale School Board and could contribute my educational experience. With our district growing rapidly, I advocate a greater cooperative effort and involvement between the community, staff, and board to meet high academic and conduct standards in the education of our children.