Mrs. Brooks teaches K-12 at Shriners Children’s in partnership with SCUSD in Sacramento, CA.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — ABC10, in partnership with SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and Sacramento State’s College of Education, is proud to announce Barbara Brooks as Teacher of the Month for February 2026. Mrs. Brooks teaches K-12 at Shriners Children’s in partnership with Sacramento City Unified School District in Sacramento, CA. In place for 20+ years, Teacher of the Month is one of ABC10’s signature community enrichment initiatives designed to highlight local teachers making a difference in the lives of their students and families.
Brooks has been teaching for 30 years. Her nominator says, “Barbara Brooks teaches children who are recovering from traumatic burn injuries, spinal cord injuries and other conditions. She helps the student and their families discover that physical challenges are not obstacles. Students are taught at bedside or arrive in the schoolroom in wheelchairs, in hospital beds and on foot. Some cannot move their fingers, are newly restricted to assistive mobility devices, or navigating cognitive challenges due to their injuries. Students work with Mrs. Brooks to continue their education and find new ways to achieve goals – often by using adaptive devices and techniques. Mrs. Brooks creates a sense of normalcy, confidence, and comfort in a hospital setting which can be stressful and emotionally draining.”
One of Brooks’ favorite success stories is, “I’ve had a few students that didn’t know they had artistic talents until their accidents. Two of the students lost all four of their limbs due to an electrical accident and two were quadriplegics due to a gunshot wound. All of them were mouth painters. Two of them became serious artists who showcased their art in galleries.”
As part of being recognized as Teacher of the Month, Mrs. Brooks will receive $1,000 from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and will be eligible for the title of Teacher of the Year – that includes a $5,000 prize – which will be announced in Spring 2026.
To nominate a local teacher in the greater Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto area for an upcoming Teacher of the Month, please visit abc10.com/teacherofthemonth