ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — This week’s A+ Teacher is embarking on her 39th year of teaching. Patty Barrett has spent 13 of those years teaching VPK at Promiseland Preschool inside First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg. She says she loves everything about helping preschoolers get ready for kindergarten.
“I want them to have self-help skills, independent thinking skills, I want them to be able to problem-solve. I want them to be able to figure out how to handle stressful situations,” said Barrett. “If you show eagerness and excitement in your teaching, then it’s contagious because then the kids are going to be eager and excited to learn what you got for them.”
A parent nominated Barrett to be our A+ Teacher, telling us the difference she made in her children’s lives. When we visited her classroom, we heard from another parent sharing that sentiment.
“She’s fantastic. Miss Patty is just a warm, warm person that just makes you feel instantly loved and connected, and she pours that love into her kids,” said parent Carolina Brinkley.
Barrett said that she feels honored to have the responsibility of caring for her students and helping them learn and grow.
“It is very rewarding to hear that positive feedback. But it’s also very rewarding that these parents, grandparents who are raising kids are comfortable and they know that their children are safe and sound and well taken care of in my classroom, and I look out for nothing but the best for them,” said Barrett.
Do you have an A+ Teacher? Nominate them to be featured by filling out the form on the right side of this page.