GILROY
– When Marisela Barco’s fifth graders queue up to enter the
classroom, it’s nearly impossible to tell the veteran teacher from
her pupils.
Barco may be shorter than at least a third of her class, but her
diminutive stature doesn’t fool students.
GILROY – When Marisela Barco’s fifth graders queue up to enter the classroom, it’s nearly impossible to tell the veteran teacher from her pupils.
Barco may be shorter than at least a third of her class, but her diminutive stature doesn’t fool students.
They walk, single file, from the playground toward their classroom where one student, reaching the door, turns to wait for the others to walk past him and line up. As the students pass the door, they exchange high-fives, one by one, much like players after a baseball game.
“I’ve got a lots of rules in this classroom,” Barco said. “Because if we have chaos in here, it doesn’t work.”
The first day of each school year in Barco’s Las Animas Elementary School classroom is spent talking about those rules and learning how to treat other students.
Besides establishing discipline in the classroom, Las Animas Principal Silvia Reyes said Barco engages students like only a natural teacher can, often by walking up and down the room and in between desks.
“Not only does she teach them the standards and everything they need to do in fifth grade, but she teaches them important values like honesty and respect,” Reyes said.
She creates a safe learning atmosphere so students will feel comfortable with their learning.
“I have high expectations for them and they usually meet them,” the 13-year teacher said. “No matter if you have high expectations for all of them – the lower kids will reach for those, too.”
Barco is just one of the more than 500 teachers in Gilroy Unified School District who are being recognized for their contributions to local youth.
Today is Day of the Teacher in the district and May 3 to 7 is National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Barco received special recognition Tuesday as the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year, following a contest in which students nominated a Gilroy teacher.
She was awarded a blue vest like those worn by store employees and the school received a $1,000 check to spend as she chooses.
