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. Whitaker 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 with public schools. Whitaker 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 that allow teacher candidates to practice and modify strategies for use with their own students. Whitaker values collaboration and professional development and is deeply committed to her work in the teacher education program.
Before joining UC Santa Barbara in 2009, Whitaker 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. Whitaker’s commitment to education has been recognized with the UC Santa Barbara Academic Senate Distinguished Teaching Award (2022) and the Graduate Student Association Excellence in Teaching Award (2023).