Hello,

My name is Mrs. Barker and I am a first grade teacher here at North Pole Elementary.  I have been teaching for 8 years and this is my 2nd year teaching 1st grade.  I was born and raised in Ohio and moved to Alaska many years ago.  I attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks and received my degree in Elementary Education.  I have a Master's of Education in Educational Technology and I am currently working on my Reading Specialists endorsement.  I am a life-long learner and love teaching at NPE.

My educational philosophy is simple - Everyone Can.  I believe that if students are willing to try, then they will learn, succeed and grow.  What students are exposed to in their primary years can have an enormous impact on the rest of their lives.  It is my aim to instill in my students the belief that they too can do anything they set their minds to, and with my support I hope to guide them along that path.