At Clay-Chalkville High School, Mrs. Roxanne Barden’s math classes are anything but boring. Often, you'll find this Teacher of the Year finalist handing out homemade brownies, or leading a loud game of “Speed Squared," one of several math games she’s invented.
“I just feel like my classroom is special because it's theirs,” Barden said. “It's a place where
they can come and be themselves, and I see them for who they are.”
Clay-Chalkville High School Principal Dr. Eugene Dallas said it means a lot to know Mrs. Barden is so passionate about connecting with her students.
“When you're able to establish those relationships, it really knocks down a lot of walls that kids will put up,” Dallas said. “You can really hone in into what their foundational academic needs are and meet them at that level, and then build them up where they need to be.”
And this is exactly what Mrs. Barden is hoping to accomplish.
“My goal is always to help them to reach whatever kind of level of success they're looking for,” Barden said. “Not necessarily what I think is successful or what their parents think is successful. Wherever they want to get to is what I want to help them get to.”
With her passion for student success, Dr. Dallas believes Mrs. Barden is making a true difference at Clay-Chalkville High School.
“If you put 100 Roxanne Bardens in a school, your state report card is going to be 100 easily,” Dallas said.
To watch Mrs. Barden’s interview, and to meet our other Teacher of the Year finalists, click here.