Stordahl to join commission

Jon M. Stordahl, 44, of Laguna Beach, has been appointed to the

Commission on Teacher Credentialing by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The commission oversees the process by which the state’s public

school teachers are certified.

Stordahl, a Republican, has already begun serving his

three-and-a-half year post, although he has not yet been confirmed by

the state Senate, as required.

“The orientation was a real eye-opener,” Stordahl said. “There are

a lot of issues involving teacher credentialing, so I am on a steep

learning curve.”

One of the major issues is whether the Cal State University system

is adequately preparing teachers to cope with the new, stricter

education standards being imposed on students -- including measures

in the “No Child Left Behind” act.

Another hot topic is bilingual education, Stordahl said. Stordahl

believes that students with limited English skills must be given the

opportunity to master the English language as a priority.

“English is the key to success, because this is an

English-speaking country,” he said.

Stordahl has taught history and United States civics classes at

Trabuco Hills High School since 1989. In addition, he has served on

several school site committees, including Powerful Teaching and

International Baccalaureate. He earned a teaching credential from Cal

State Long Beach.

The appointment-- which is not paid -- will require Stordahl to

travel to Sacramento about 10 times a year.

The Senate has one year to confirm the appointment.