The MHC Academy Coordinator

1. The MHC Academy Coordinator Tammy Harter is a teacher, the Health Education Department Chair at SVHS, one of the CTE teachers and the MHC Academy coordinator. She teaches Health Ed, Medical Terminology and Pharmacology and Substance abuse. Following radiation treatments and many reconstructive surgeries, she went back to college. She earned both her bachelors degree in Health Science and teaching credential at CSUN by 1990. “I’m amazed at how supportive this community is towards this Academy. This is the most rewarding educator’s experience I’ve ever had.” Her passion for this academy was inspired by her own victory over cancer. She was treated for chondrosarcoma in 1983 and it was the surgical team at UCLA hospital that saved her life. Ms. Harter is featured her with Dr. Harry Glassman (Plastic Surgeon) in Beverly Hills California 1985.

2. The MHC Academy CTE Teacher Growing up, Coach Bradshaw served as a ball boy for some of the most legendary teams in athletic program’s history. His father, the legendary Dean Bradshaw, served as the head coach of the Pioneer program. Ryan Bradshaw was also a player in the program under Coach Aurand, culminating in his senior season of 2001. He went on to complete his degree in Physical Education at Cal State University in Chico and his teaching credential at Cal Lutheran University. Ryan Bradshaw is the Health Careers Survey Teacher for the Academy who will also be incorporating HOSA into the course for sophomores. In addition to his teaching duties, he is JV basketball Coachat SVHS. He has been a Pioneer his whole life and has seen the program from many different angles. Ryan has worked alongside Tammy Harter in developing the MHC academy by participating as a judge at the National HOSA Convention in 2011as well as recruiting academy students. He is particularly interested in the development of sports medicine within the academy and is committed to being Ms. Harter’s successor when she retires.

3. The MHC Academy’s Science Teacher Luckily, we have benefited from her decision to be a teacher at Simi Valley High School. She’s passionate about teaching human anatomy and enjoys encouraging her students to pursue their career goals in medicine. In addition to her involvement in the Medical Health Careers Academy, she is a senior advisor, she works with students in leadership and she is a master teacher for student science teachers. Alisa Speidelteaches Anatomy & Physiology for most of our MHC students as well as CP Biology & AP Biology. Mrs. Speidel got her Bachelor’s Degree in biology while working at Amgen. When she realized that working in the lab setting wasn’t for her, she considered a career as a nurse practitioner or a school teacher.

4. The CERT Teacher Jessica Ellis has pioneered the first Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) course at Simi Valley High School. In unison with Ventura County Fire Department, Mrs. Ellis teaches students how to handle disaster situations such as an earthquake. She is now working with our administration to bridge the knowledge that her students have together with our disaster preparedness drill for Simi Valley High School. She also teaches Health Ed., Yoga and Cross Country at Simi Valley High School. Needless to say, she practices what she preaches and we are fortunate to have her.

5. The MHC Academy’s English Teachers Tanya Wismann and Sarah Todd are our academy’s English teachers.

6. The MHC Academy’s U.S. History Teacher “ Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow” Lauren Gallant is the academy’s U.S. history teacher. She completed double majors in History and Anthropology prior to starting on her master’s degree in History. Her patriotism led her to serve in the military and is part of her passion for teaching American history. She believes that understanding our past can only help us as we move into the future, “no matter what path we follow”. Her excitement for being part of the MHC academy at SVHS, led her to put together a course that covers the US History curriculum while incorporating health issues woven into the tapestry of American History. Students in her class will be examining how such diseases as yellow fever, typhoid, influenza, polio, and HIV have had profound effects on our history. Students will also be evaluating how such health issues have influenced the government’s role in our lives.

7. The MHC Academy’s Art Ceramics Teacher Betsy Sanders is the MHC Art/Ceramics Teacher for our Academy. She has been a judge at the 2010 National HOSA Leadership Conference for “Community Awareness (in Health Promotion)”. This competitive event is one in which students design a health promotion event that educations the community on a particular resource in Health Promotion. The Career Technical Education conference of 2010 was attended by Betsy Sanders along with Tammy Harter in preparation for this academy. That experience led her to meet Dr. Matt from Meridian Dental. Matthew Nejad D.D.S. teaches at USC School of Dentistry. Dr. Matt has acted as a judge with Mrs. Sanders in Career Health Displays at the HOSA Conference that we host on campus at Simi Valley High School. Betsy also acts as our event manager for the Career Health Display competition that we host for the Ventura County HOSA Leadership Conference.

8. The Spanish Teacher that supports HOSA Lourdes Viramontes teaches Spanish at Simi Valley High School to many of our academy’s students. She has also acted as our event manager for “Job Seeking Skills” competition for the Ventura County HOSA Leadership Conference that we host at Simi Valley High School. Her background as a Spanish speaker started with her first language. She was born in Guayaquil, Equador. Since then, she has been quite the world traveler! Her traditional dress a circa de 1970’s is from Holland.