Mrs. Barnette

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Arts from Flagler College   
Length of time teaching: 19 years; 8 years at HT

 

What motivated you to become a teacher?
I have always loved working with kids of all ages, I have a huge passion for theatre and am so thankful for the teachers in my life that helped me grow. 

 

How do you inspire a student who has a hard time with your subject area?
I spend a great deal of time getting to know my students. Their hopes, dreams, fears, insecurities. With a strong relationship comes the safety in exploring and being confident on stage. 

 

What experiences or people have had the most influence on you?
I lost my father when I was 16. As a teenager I experienced a huge amount of heartache and my mom was always there for me. My mother is my best friend in the world. She runs an agency for developmentally disabled adults and has put her entire heart into her job from the very beginning. She inspires me to put my heart into every day I spend with my students and to be the biggest role model for them I can be.

 

How do you keep current with the subject areas you cover?
We are fortunate at Holy Trinity to have an amazing professional development program. I have been sent to attend the Broadway Teachers Workshop in New York City over the summer where I worked with Broadway actors, directors and producers. I also still act myself. 

  

How do you inspire students to enjoy learning?
I think when students see how passionate you are about something it helps them become interested in learning more about it. 

 

What do you want your students to take away from being in your class?
I want them to walk away with an appreciation for the art of theatre and more self-confidence then they came into my classroom with.

  

What has been your most memorable moment in teaching?
Every time I open a show with my students and watch them come onstage and perform with so much confidence I turn into an emotional mess. The production process is an intense and stressful thing, and they handle it with such grace and always amaze me. Opening night is my favorite.

 

How do you stay inspired or “recharge your battery” as an educator?
By staying active in my craft. When I perform on stage it refuels the passion I have to bring the love of theatre to my students.

  

How do you feel you can help students to “Start Here. Go Anywhere.”?
I believe exposure to theatre develops confidence and public speaking skills necessary to so many occupations in our society today.