The Outstanding Educator Award is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions that enhance the education of children at the statewide level. In addition, a local PTA or council may give this award to honor outstanding educators who have made significant contributions in their community. An educator may be defined as a teacher, assistant, specialist, support staff, administrator or community member. Recipients receive a certificate and pin, and a contribution is made in their name to the Washington State PTA Scholarship Program that benefits students.
The 2016-2017 Smith PTSA Board would like to present this year’s Outstanding Educator Award to Mrs. Teresa Barber for her exceptional contributions to the Smith Elementary learning community. We wish to recognize and honor Mrs. Barber for her continued and dedicated service to the Smith students and a demonstrated commitment to "making every child's potential a reality."
Mrs. Barber put in a lot of hard work into making her classroom a wonderful place to learn for her students, despite a really, really hard start at the beginning of the year. She turned around a portable into a home away from home for the students. She has taught the 4/5 Quest class this year. Realizing the potential of the students, she initiated a Math Club at Smith on her own free time. She provided extra coaching to interested 4th and 5th graders and trained them for Interstate Math competitions. Under her guidance both 5th grade and 4th grade Smith teams secured high individual ranks and the teams progressed to the Masters level of the "Math is Cool" tournament.
Her genuine love for Math and Science and her desire to instill this love among the students is evident in her efforts. She and the team of Quest teachers went above and beyond to engage the students in various Math and Engineering projects for the STEM fair at Smith. The students very proudly exhibited their models of bridges built with Popsicle sticks that could sustain heavy weights. She herself attended the STEM Night event and was present for the entire duration including set up and clean up. PTSA truly appreciates her enthusiasm and participation.
Dear Mrs. Barber,
You are the best and most unique teacher ever. You teach with projects and fun, and I don't think any teacher could top the way you teach. Thank you for being such a great teacher!
- Maanav
Mrs. Barber is a wonderful teacher. She always tries to make learning fun by giving us a variety of different projects, such as letting us make edible models of chimney rock. She has her own fabulous way of teaching and makes sure we have a safe environment to learn in. Mrs. Barber doesn’t think about herself, but about her students. Not just her students, but everyone. For example, she started a math club for Math is Cool and instead of going home for the afternoon, she spent every Tuesday and Thursday helping the fourth and fifth graders in our school learn math. She is a teacher that I think we will all remember. Thank you for teaching us, Mrs. Barber.
- Medha
