A Los Al teacher who has learned to make students learn as they laugh has suddenly found himself among the top ten teachers in the nation competing in a contest sponsored by Reader’s Digest for “America’s Top Teacher.”
Dave Barker, who teaches math at Los Al High School, is among ten American teachers now in contention for the top spot, according to information released this week by the Los Alamitos Unified School District.
According to the contest’s website, “Reader’s Digest unites its readers and their families like no other brand through the simplest of acts: sharing stories, laughs, and great advice.”
“Heading into its 100th anniversary, Reader’s Digest is America’s fourth largest-circulation magazine brand, standing out more than ever in today’s cultural landscape due to its themes of optimism, faith, heroism, trust, humor, and wellness,” it said.
Accordingly, the magazine is seeking to reward “America’s Top Teacher” with $25,000, a trip to Hawaii, and an appearance in the magazine.
“Teachers are the unsung heroes who instill a love for learning, cultivate critical thinking skills, and nurture the potential of each student. Their dedication goes far beyond the classroom, influencing the character and values of the next generation,” the magazine’s statement said.
“America’s Favorite Teacher reveres these mentors for holding the key to unlocking the full potential of individuals, and creating leaders who will foster a brighter future for all.”
Barker, who has also taught students how to learn as they laugh, recently took his student improvisational humor (improv) to the top spot in a competition among California high schools, according to Spotlight Schools.
In a series of questions posted on the school’s website, Barker said he lives to make students enjoy and understand what he’s trying to teach.
“When a student doesn’t love the subject I teach, it brings me great pleasure if they can still enjoy my class. I love seeing students understand something after working hard,” he said.
“I love when I have the chance to show kids that their life and what is going on, good or bad, is important to me and seeing the joy they have when I take interest in them as a person. One of my favorite things is when I see students succeeding and gaining confidence in themselves,” said Barker.
In an interesting observation, Barker said he uses math in a different way for failing students.
“I had a student once who was failing with an average of 35%. I got him to start trying and on the next test, he improved by 30%. I praised him in class for great improvement without saying his actual score. He got the biggest smile and kept working hard,” noted Barker.
“His father was in the military, got transferred and came to check him out of school. I said he is an amazing young man and I’m proud of his effort. Dad said no teacher has ever said positive things about him, thank you. It brought me so much joy,” he said.
And what would Barker do with the prize money?
“I like to decorate my classroom with fun things kids will enjoy so I would get some more things for my room. My wife and I also find great joy in doing kind things for others so I would like to create some fun experiences with family and friends,” the Los Al teacher said.
“If you look behind every exceptional person, there is an exceptional teacher,” the site quoted the late physicist Stephen Hawking. Obviously, Barker, and his story, have found tens of thousands across the nation who think he’s likely to one day end up inspiring his students to greater pursuits.
Barker has advanced to the top 10 out of thousands of teachers across the country who have entered the competition, the Los Al Unified School District said in a statement.
America’s Favorite Teacher is proud to support Teach For America in their mission to find, develop, and support equity-oriented leaders — individually and in teams — so they can transform education and expand opportunities for students.
TFA consists of a network of nearly 70,000 leaders who started in the classroom and remain in lifelong pursuit of the vision that one day, all children will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.
Anyone can vote. Voting ends Thursday, April 21. Here’s the web address for voting: https://americasfavteacher.org/vote/options/2024/david-barker.
