Meet the Teacher Advisory Council: Bridget Barker of Arnold Mill ES!

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched!  Over the coming weeks, we'll be introducing each Council member to our community.  You can learn more about the Council and see the full list of its members online here.

Bridget Barker of Arnold Mill Elementary School

A 19-year educator, Ms. Barker teaches fourth-grade English language arts at Arnold Mill ES. A Sequoyah High School (Class of 2003) alum, she started her teaching career at Holly Springs ES, where she taught for 11 years including third, fourth and fifth grade. She then transferred to Arnold Mill ES, where she has taught fifth and fourth grade.

What inspired you to become a teacher?
All throughout my educational journey I have had some amazing teachers, but there was one who inspired me to want to pursue a career in education. During my sixth-grade year at Hickory Flat Elementary I was moved and motivated to be a great student by Dr. Keith Bryant. He was a teacher who encouraged a higher order of thinking and pushed his students to think outside of the box to solve problems. The way he would introduce his science lessons still sticks with me today. His love for learning was always present, but his passion for creating connections with his students is what helped him shine bright in the eyes of many of my peers and students to come. I thank Dr. Bryant for inspiring me to want to be a teacher, to keep shining bright, and to continue to be a light for my students each day.

What do you find most rewarding about your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing personal and educational growth from my students. Each day is a gift, and I love seeing my students learn and apply new concepts and find new ways to approach and overcome personal or educational obstacles. Another reward is seeing my former students during school events or out and about and getting to hear about the amazing things they have accomplished.

How do you elevate the excellence in your classroom?
One way I elevate the excellence in my classroom is by encouraging my students to always set personal and achievable educational goals. Setting a goal is a way for them to have accountability in their learning. These one-on-one conversations throughout the year provide great opportunities for me to discuss growth, obstacles that they have faced, and develop strategies to help them achieve their greatest personal success. I strive to elevate the excellence in my classroom by creating an environment where my students are intrinsically motivated to do well because they know they are seen, heard, and appreciated for who they are and what they do while they are in my classroom.

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