Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. History and Government teacher Lindsey Kornfeld became the Redwood Bark’s new advisor on March 9, 2026. Kornfeld was the Bark’s Editor-in-Chief (EIC) during her senior year at Redwood from 2003-2004.
From the start of high school, Kornfeld knew where she belonged.
“I was super into politics and voice, and I wound up taking Nonfiction [the intro to journalism class] as a freshman. It was an option back then. There were only two of us that were freshmen,” Kornfeld said.
Her passion for writing, asking questions and pushing for answers were all factors that influenced her decision to join the Bark.
“[Bark] felt like home for me, especially because I was looking for a place that felt like home in a bigger school,” Kornfeld said.
She previously attended Ross Middle School, a much smaller school.
By junior year, Kornfeld knew she wanted to lead the Bark class as an EIC after serving in two previous section editor roles.
“We used to only be one class and our EICs were switched each semester, so I did News and Opinion. I liked being an editor. I liked the leadership and I loved layout,” Kornfeld said.
Her leadership extends beyond editing. During her time as EIC, she introduced the Review section to the Bark, expanding the paper’s coverage beyond traditional news and opinion stories. She reviewed Fairfax, “The Lovely Bones” book and a new ice cream shop called Scoop.
Kornfeld reflected on how the Bark has developed throughout the years to become what it is today.
“Ms. Schneider has done an amazing job of growing the program, of bringing it into the twenty-first century. [When I was an EIC, we would] publish every three weeks, print only, we had no website, had no social media, no podcast and no video. What [Bark does] now is modern. It’s the [Social Media] shorts and everything [that has] changed to keep up with modern journalism. That’s an amazing thing that Ms. Schneider has built,” Kornfeld said.
Kornfeld expressed the importance of student press, and how Bark and journalism are where students can have a voice and make a difference.
“[Bark is] a place in the world to say what you want, and that’s what the student press is and that is a muscle that you use and if we can develop that in high school, and speak out and how to build an argument and how to do your research, then you will be the people that make a change. We’re teaching [students] how to get information so you can use it to better the world,” Kornfeld said.
Kornfeld has encouraged students to embrace different journalism perspectives.
“We can’t shy away from controversy,” Kornfeld said. “That’s something that I think about as an adviser: Is this pushing for more letters to the editor, is this urging more outside writers to do a point counterpoint, is it encouraging us to challenge ourselves to do more of that, so it’s not the same political rant.”
Outside of school, Kornfeld works at Perry’s restaurant and is a Teacher Leader (TL) for the Social Studies Department. In this role, she hears and provides news that she brings to the Bark. Her experiences outside the classroom have allowed her to bring new perspectives and ideas into the classroom.
“The Bark absolutely shaped me as a high school kid and going into college and my writing style and how I looked at the world,” Kornfeld said.
Kornfeld’s passion for teaching is evident in her classroom. When asked about what motivates her to come to school each morning, she pointed directly to the students.
“You guys. It’s super cheesy but when we shut the classroom door, and it’s us watching you guys grow, and have those super cheesy ah-ha moments. That’s what brings me in in the morning,” Kornfeld said.
Junior Cole Graves, an APUSH student of Kornfeld’s, believes she creates an environment where students feel comfortable and supported in the classroom.
“She has a very humble way of teaching. She’s not above her students, she connects with them. She is always interested in her students’ lives and what they’re going through,” Graves said.
When Graves heard about Kornfeld’s new position in Bark, he believed she would be a natural fit.
With her enthusiasm for politics and journalism, Kornfeld’s message to her students is clear.
“Use your voice. But back it up with facts. Do your research. Your argument is only strong and powerful if you have fact based information behind it,” Kornfeld said. “I tell my Gov[ernment] kids this; I don’t want you to be the person in the comment section. I want you to be the one who says actually the second amendment doesn’t say that. This is what it says. So build that muscle while you’re with us, and then, run free.
