One of the coolest things that Brewster High School has to offer is the newly implemented Pre-K program where high school students get the opportunity to work with Pre-K students and their teachers. One of these teachers, Ms. Barke, is planning her retirement for the end of this school year, and it’s important we acknowledge her and all she’s done for the district. I had the chance to interview her and get a deeper look at her perspective on her career.

We started the interview with questions focused on her journey as a teacher, especially her journey to the high school. What inspired her to become an educator and enter the field of education? She earnestly replied, “I’ve always liked working with kids and I always dreamed of being a teacher. My second grade teacher really inspired me and I actually got to teach her son.” When asked for more details about her career and path before coming to BHS, she old me, “I started out as a kindergarten teacher at JFK, then 2nd grade. I also taught 3rd grade for two years before returning to Kindergarten making my first 11 years of teaching. I’ve made some amazing memories across all the schools I taught. Then I was sent back to JFK and continued teaching Kindergarten. Leading up to the high school there was a brief discussion about the Pre-K program and I always wanted to teach preschoolers. I was lucky enough to transition with my friends and it made for the best thing I’ve ever done. I love working with the high school students. A lot of the ones I’ve taught I’ve been able to see again and how much they’ve grown. It made for a great full circle moment.”

Staying on topic with her career, we talked more about specific parts or people that she loved about her job. Looking back on her career, she cited this as a highlight: “Being able to work with Lisa Hopf for years, having a sidekick and friend be able to work with me. The Thelma to my Louise. Also seeing kids grow has been really special over the years, even in one grade seeing the progress is so fulfilling. Working with students to achieve their maximum potential.” Moving on, I we talked about what aspects of her work at BHS she will miss the most and least: “I’m going to miss my colleagues and the feeling of being in a high school because I always wanted to teach in one. It’s the best of both worlds.” Along with her positive remarks she jokingly included, “I’m happy to let go of the crying children and early mornings.”

While Ms. Barke’s career is important and impressive, we also wanted to transition to hearing more about her personal perspective and experiences as an individual outside the classroom. To start, I asked her about what she has learned from the students she’s worked with. “I’ve learned to never give up, patience, the importance of napping, and that it’s okay to cry.” When asked what advice she would give to someone just starting out in education or at BHS, she shared her personal tips and tricks, saying, “Always carry a bag of tricks (back up plans for lessons or fun activities for the kids if things don’t go as you originally thought), don’t always go by the manual, be creative, don’t forget to laugh, drink a lot of coffee, make things exciting, and smile. Make your students feel like they are loved, heard, and that their voice matters. Make them feel important.”

We talked more about her past and her plans for her future. She told me that years ago, she “was a band geek in high school. I loved music so much.” Wanting to know more, and knowing that she was retiring, I asked her for some recommendations about travel. She told me about “Aruba, because I love the ocean, it’s peaceful. It’s my favorite place.” I also wanted to know about what else she might be doing in her retirement, so I asked about her hopes and/or plans. She excitedly told me that her plan was “to not have a plan: sleep in, go to the beach constantly, randomly visit my daughter, and live each day to the fullest and continue to be grateful for my time in Brewster. I’m so grateful for my job, if I didn’t work here – I don’t even know – this has been everything to me.”

It seems that Ms. Barke is leaving with great things in her future as she leaves Brewster Central School District behind and reaps the rewards of her many years at work. Remember to wish her the best and say your goodbyes before the last day!

Brewster Bear Facts thanks Ms. Barke for her never-ending warmth and kindness with the pre-school children, and for always managing to make us smile. Enjoy your retirement!