*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!
