Teacher of the Year loves job

PROVO — First-grade teacher Sandi Barnes shoulders a huge responsibility — teaching the next generation to read and write.

She was named recently as the Provo School District Teacher of the Year, representing the district at the state level in August when the Utah Teacher of the Year is selected. The state winner and all nominees will be honored at a banquet in October.

Fellow teachers at Grandview Elementary selected her, then she was tapped by the district for top local honors. Teachers of the Year were named in every school in the district by their peers.

"If I'm honored because I love my job and I love the kids, then that's OK," Barnes said.

Not only does she teach reading and writing to the 6-year-olds, she also teaches social skills. Much of the learning is "hands on," she said, with art projects and computers.

"We learn how to read. That's the big thing," she said. At the same time she works to help the children have a good experience, she added. Teachers at Grandview work as a team.

"I do it because I love it," she said.

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OTHER TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

• Quin Swallow, Canyon Crest Elementary

• Pat Gerstner, Centennial Middle School

• Leann Moody, Dixon Middle School

• Lisa Garner, Edgemont Elementary

• Matt Hiatt, Independence High School

• Steve Thatcher, Oak Springs Elementary

• Camille Williams, Provo High School

• Loretta Willcocks, Provost Elementary

• Marcy Yamaguchi, Spring Creek Elementary

• Julie Asay, Sunset View Elementary

• Katie Murdock, Timpanogos Elementary

• Rich Lamb, Timpview High School

• Teresa Tolutau, Wasatch Elementary

• Jeanette Ostler, Westridge Elementary

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E-mail: rodger@desnews.com