NAME:
Mr. Tierney
SCHOOL:
Rolling Hills Middle School
CLASS:
American Studies
SCHOOL PHONE:
530-676-2490 or 916-933-9290 X3174
Mr. Tierney has been teaching for 19 years. He has a B.A. degree in History
from San Francisco State University and an M.A. in Education from Sacramento
State University. Mr. Tierney is currently working toward his M.A. in
history at Sacramento State University and will graduate in December, 2009.
He was named Rolling Hills Teacher of the Year in 2001, 2004, and 2005. In
2002 he received a fellowship to the Williamsburg Teacher Institute. He was
designated one of the most influential teachers by students at Oak Ridge High
School in 1999.
In 2004 he was one of 36 teachers selected nationwide to
receive the United States - Eurasian Excellence in Teaching Award, an honor
that sent him to the Republic of Georgia in October, 2004 to work with
teachers and students. Mr. Tierney returned to the Republic of Georgia in
October, 2006 to assist in the development of an all English school in
Kutaisi. He is hopeful he will be able to return again soon.
In 2005 Mr. Tierney was named a Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar; as a result
he visited the country of Japan in November of 2005 to share ideas about
education and cultures. Mr. Tierney visited schools in Yanagawa, Fukuoka,
Japan and published "Whispers Across the Pacific," a book of student poetry
written by Japanese and American students. The book is available for a fee
of $5.
In 2007 Mr. Tierney was named a fellow for the Korean Studies Workshop, a
program fully funded by the Korea Foundation. He traveled to Korea July 11 -
25, 2007 to learn about Korean history, culture and the arts.
Mr. Tierney was listed in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers," in 2004,
2005,and 2007. Manchester's Who's Who in 2005, and Who's Who in America in
2006 - 2010.
Prior to teaching Mr. Tierney worked for nearly 13 years as a manager with
Pacific Bell (now AT&T). He performed many jobs in that corporation
including Methods and Procedures Writer, Unix System Administrator, Staff
Support for Centralized Repair Service, and Loop Maintenance Operating
System Support Provider.
Besides teaching, Mr. Tierney enjoys playing the tenor banjo, playing golf,
writing short stories and articles, and participating in on-line fantasy
sports leagues. He is also a commissioner for a fantasy football league
that has been in existence for 15 years.
Mr. Tierney has performed banjo in many venues in the United States and
around the world. In 1976 he toured Japan as part of a dixieland band for a
month performing in theaters, television and radio stations, as well as pizza
parlors, nightclubs, and restaurants. This tour was to promote friendship
between Japan and America as part of America's bicentennial. He has also
performed for the Oakland Athletics Baseball Club at the Oakland Coliseum, as
a guest soloist for the Pacific Philharmonic Orchestra (excerpts from Porgy
and Bess), on KXJZ, Capital Public Radio, and at the Sacramento Jazz
Jubilee. He occcassionally plays his banjo in class.
Mr. Tierney belongs to the El Dorado County Pioneer Cemeteries Commission and
held an appointed seat on the Cemetery Advisory Committee for El Dorado
County from 2003-2008. In addition, Mr. Tierney belongs to the El Dorado
County Humane Society and Sierra Wildlife Rescue.
Mr. Tierney's professional affiliations include the National Council for the
Social Sciences (NCSS), The National Association of Historians,the American
History Association,and Computer Using Educators (CUE).
In 2009 Mr. Tierney's article, "'Indian Troubles' in the Press: An Analysis
of Newspapers in Greater Sacramento 1848-1860" was published in Sacramento
State University's history journal "Clio."
My mission is to make learning as much fun as I can. I also strive to teach
students respect by modeling respect for them. In addition, my classes
adhere to the California State Social Studies frameworks.
My students are encouraged to strive to become better citizens.
