Danielle Whitaker is a continuing lecturer and teacher candidate supervisor in the Teacher Education Program. She has worked for over a decade supporting K–6 teacher candidates in developing effective and reflective instructional practices.
Danielle is an instructor for both multiple subject and education specialist credential candidates. She teaches courses in language arts, instructional design, classroom management, and professional issues while conducting site-based supervision in partnership public schools. Danielle also provides support and guidance to candidates as they navigate the high stakes Teacher Performance Assessment, which is a statewide credentialing requirement. She is passionate about creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences which allow teacher candidates to practice and modify strategies for use with their own students. Danielle values collaboration, professional development and is deeply committed to her work in TEP.
Before joining UCSB in 2009, Danielle taught kindergarten in the Santa Barbara Unified School District and served as the in-house coordinator for the teacher candidates at her school site. She holds a Master’s in Education and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with an Art Authorization from UC Santa Barbara, as well as a Reading and Literacy Added Authorization from UC Irvine. Additionally, she became LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) Certified in 2024. Danielle’s commitment to education has been recognized with the UCSB Academic Senate Distinguished Teaching Award (2022) and the Graduate Student Association Excellence in Teaching Award (2023).