Author
Barbara Tooker is the author of an independent study parenting course and a companion trade edition (English and Spanish): Accent On Parenting; Tools for Building the 21st Century Kids, 2005, 2008 rev. Past publications include Colorado School Library Media Guidelines; Guidelines and Procedures for State of Colorado Uniform Application of Federal Title E.S.E.A. IV (principal author); chapter contributor to Grand-Stories; Bridges of Love Joining Grandparents and Grandkids by Ernie Wendell. She has written Bylaws for non-profit organizations, grants for libraries and schools, foster youth programs, and community building projects.
Education and Certification
Barbara holds a Master’s Degree (M.A.L.S.) from the University of Denver and a Bachelor’s Degree (English, Speech-Theatre, Education) from Adams State University (formerly Adams State College). She has completed numerous certifications:
- Community Analysis for Non-Profits
- Suicide Intervention, Living Works International
- Professional-in-Residence, Betty Ford Center
- Leadership Institute, Harvard: John F. Kennedy School of Governance
- Fundraising for Non-Profit Organizations, UC Riverside
- Public School Funding, Adams State College
- Dialogue – Enhancing Communication, DialogueWORKS
- Adult Education Program Development, Adams State College
- Community Consensus-Building, US Dept. of Labor
- Interest-Based Bargaining, US Dept. of Labor
- Writing for Publication, National Speakers Association
- Authorship Skills, National Speakers Association
- Master of Boardsmanship, California School Boards Association
- Master of Governance, California School Boards Association
- Negotiations Institute, US Dept. of Labor
- Fundraising for Philanthropies, UC Riverside
Public Education and Community Service
Barbara served on the Temecula Valley Unified School District Governing Board for 17 years, the Riverside County School Boards Association Board of Directors for 16 years, and the California School Boards Association Board of Directors for 8 years.
Co-developed and chaired a unique pilot program for more effectively serving foster youth: Temecula/Murrieta/Riverside County Foster Youth Task Force, a collaboration of the cities, school districts, and Riverside County.
Consultant to public and charter schools regarding governance, strategic planning, bylaws, and building effective teams.
Speaker and/or workshop presenter at numerous events regarding community-building, grant writing, literacy, family relationships, and foster youth.
- Named Citizen of the Year by Temecula Kiwanis
- Citizen of the Year Nominee by Temecula Chamber of Commerce
- Service Above Self Award by Temecula Rotary
- Current member of Temecula Valley American University Women (charter member)
- P.E.O., Chapter FG.
- Past member Temecula Valley Soroptmist International, SW Economic Development Advisory Board, USC Military Families Building Capacity Consortium International Advisory Council.
Non-Profit Organization, Co-Founder
The National Parenting Institute, a non-profit corporation, whose purpose was to provide quality family life programs, in Spanish and English, to parents, grandparents, teachers, and childcare providers through on-site classes, coaching, and conference presentations. Barb served as Chair of the Board of Directors as well as the Executive Director for its 30 years of service, 1989-2019.
Business Owner
Barb formed Accent On Parenting, Inc., in 2005 and served as its Owner/Operator until 2021 when the company was disbanded. Its purpose was to create and publish carefully-researched programs related to parenting skills development. During this time, she wrote a state-approved 60-hour parenting course in Spanish and English that was taught on-line or through a hard-cover self-study workbook. Barb closed the company recently in order to concentrate on travel writing as well as producing content on building strong families and communities.
Professional Memberships
