*Teacher: English Language Arts*
By: Morgan Blechschmid and Danielle Shehee
December 4, 2020
Ms. Jamie Barber has been a teacher at Brooklyn High School for six years. She teaches English Language Arts 9 as well as Reading and Sports Literature. Barber is well-known by her past students and fellow teachers for having a fun and outgoing personality. When it comes to her students, she makes it a top priority to try and assure that her students are understanding information and are in a comfortable, learning environment.
Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration?
A: “I think my mom has always been my biggest inspiration. Things didn’t always come easy for her, but she has worked really hard for her entire life, and I know that she is where I got my drive and determination.”
Q: What is the favorite part about your job?
A: “I love how different each day is. I can plan my lessons, but I can never truly anticipate what students will say or do…which could be a positive or negative, depending on the day.”
Q: How would you describe yourself as a teacher using only three words?
A: “Caring. Honest. LOUD!”
Q: If you could choose another career, what would it be and why?
A: “I’m a full on cliche here…I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, BUT I think I would love to have a career as a travel guide. I think it would be so fun to learn about other cultures and share that knowledge with tour groups (Plus, just think of all the great food I’d get to eat!!).”
Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: “Oh…I have so many…currently, I am annoyed by having to say, ‘Please pull your mask over your nose’ 9,246 times a day (an estimate-that number could be much higher!).”
Q: How do you think you’ve affected your students in the past?
A: “I hope they would say that they felt like they mattered and always felt heard in my classroom…and, maybe even, that they learned a thing or two as well!”
Q: How do you go about getting through a stressful situation?
A: “I’m a people-person, so I really rely on my community of friends to help me through everything. I do a lot of venting to them, and if that doesn’t work, there’s always raw cookie dough.”
Q: What will you decide to do once you’re ready to retire?
A: “It seems so far away, but I hope retirement finds me spending a lot of time on a beach relaxing in a place where the sun is *usually* shining! Maybe, I’ll open an outdoor coffee stand and just sip and tan all the rest of my days away.”
Thank you, Ms. Barber for all that you do. We appreciate you!
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 