Check Out Krista Barbour’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Barbour.

Krista, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Despite the fact that when I was 7 and my grandparents would make photocopies of handouts for my “students” (a.k.a. stuffed animals and imaginary pupils) so that I could teach a class in their attic, I had zero desire to be a teacher when I went off to college. It wasn’t until I moved from Florida to Oregon after college graduation that I started to entertain the idea of being a teacher.

After election season was over and I was no longer knocking on doors to register voters, I got a job in an after-school program at a public elementary school. It dawned on me that I liked working with kids and I liked seeing them grow and I liked being there for them during some of the most tumultuous times. After working in a special education classroom with an incredible lead teacher who showed me how to advocate for students who are often overlooked, undervalued, and unappreciated, I applied to graduate school to get my Master’s in Education.

Two years later, when I hit the job market, my dream position of teaching high school history was dashed when all the open positions required one to also teach football. As a 5’2″, 120-pound woman, that was not in my wheelhouse. Like, at all. So I got an endorsement to teach English, landed a job in a middle school English Language Arts classroom, and found my niche.

Yep, I am one of those weirdos who actually love middle school students! In fact, the motto for my blog and YouTube channel is “Making Middle School NOT the Worst Place Ever.” Think about it-how awful was middle school?! My goal is to stand next to students as they navigate these years of doubt, uncertainty, discovery, and, of course, awkward moments.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Navigating your twenties, trying to find who you are, and deciding what you want to do is not without its challenges.

There is so much uncertainty and doubt and loneliness. One thing that helped me push through that is feeling a sense of freedom where I was allowed to explore and try new things and fail spectacularly and try again.

Many of my students today, have this overwhelming sense of pressure that they have to know EXACTLY what they want to do for the rest of their lives and choose their college accordingly. It’s such a stressful and limiting way to look at college and the rest of your life.

And it’s one I try to break down in my classroom.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I teach middle school so that naturally makes me a little intrepid and adventurous. This comes through in what projects I ask my students to do with me.

“Let’s make podcasts!” (Their topics were incredible).

“Yes, you totally CAN write an 8,000-word novel in 30 days!” (And they are for sale on Amazon!).

“I’m upset by the refugee crisis, too. Want to do a fundraiser?” (They raised over $3000 for the UNHCR).

I sit alongside students as they explore themselves and our world and follow their lead. If public education would allow more teachers to do this, I truly believe we would live in a drastically different world.

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people might not know that middle school was absolutely the worst time in my life. I hated just about everything-school, myself, my family. It was true turmoil.

So why did I choose to live my professional life in the halls of a middle school? Because I want to be the person I wish I had been as an angst-ridden 7th grader.

Contact Info:

• Email: Whimsyandrigor@gmail.com
• Website: https://whimsyandrigor.wordpress.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whimsyandrigor/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/KristaBarbour