2001 Oregon Teacher of the Year
Ms. Barber teaches Language Arts to students in grades six through twelve at Ukiah School in Ukiah, Oregon. She has been teaching Language Arts for twelve years.

What are your beliefs about teaching?
"Every child can learn. The exciting challenge for every teacher is to find the strategy that "hooks" each student and helps learning make sense for that student."

How are your beliefs incorporated in your teaching style?
"I see myself as each child's learning facilitator. My responsibility is to have materials and enrichment available that lets a child learn all she/he can."

What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
"When students come back to visit after they've graduated or moved away and want me to meet their children and families, I feel very fulfilled in my job."

What's the most critical issue facing educators today and what do you think can be done to resolve this issue?
"Public apathy about learning is the biggest hurdle educators face. Some people think that learning just "happens" and doesn't need support. In reality, society as a whole needs to be involved. We, in education, need to request (and accept) help from business and industry, as well as governments and keep open communication among communities, families and schools as we all work towards high goals for our students."

Inspirational thought:
"You can make a difference for good in a child's life. Find that child."