Janet Barker (above right, with daughter Jenny, left), a teacher at Parras Middle School in Redondo Beach, on Wednesday night was named a 2008 Bravo Award winner by the Music Center of Los Angeles County.
Established in 1983, The award recognizes teachers and schools for creativity, innovation and excellence in arts education. Barker was a co-winner, alongside Safini Convey of Mount Washington Elementary School, in the general classroom teacher category; one arts specialist teacher and one school are also so honored.
Announced in a special evening ceremony at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, the awards were presented by noted film director Garry Marshall. Winning teachers each receive $4,000; the winning school receives $10,000.
Find more background on the BRAVO on the Music Center's website.
Janet Barker was always one of a thousand. She was head cheerleader of RUHS but that's not what i remember of her. I remember coming to the freshmen welcoming and not having a "big sister". Janet immediately took my hand and said she would be my big sister for the year. Ans she was. She was a woman of her word. She inspired me when things were going on in my life so terrible that it should have been on the national news. I will always remember her. Best to her always