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Valrico Teacher Honored For Work With Migrants

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By LAURA FRAZIER lfrazier@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 20, 2008

VALRICO - Migrant farm workers often find it difficult or impossible to attend parent-teacher conferences, so Valrico Elementary School teacher Barbara Jarrett makes house calls.

That and her other outreach efforts helped her garner the state's 2008 Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education award.

Gov. Charlie Crist presented Jarrett and two other Florida teachers with the award Tuesday at the Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee.

The other teachers were from schools in Pompano Beach and Wellington. Each received a check for $1,500 and a $500 gift certificate for school supplies.

Valrico Elementary teacher Jean Smith nominated her colleague for the honor. She praised Jarrett for developing the school's English Language Learners Program and reaching out to the migrant community.

Jarrett said most families who live at migrant camps on Valrico Road and St. Cloud Avenue have no transportation or telephones. To keep parents informed about their students' progress and encourage involvement, she packs her paperwork into her car from time to time and makes impromptu visits to the camps.

"I just go down the row and knock on doors," she said, noting the students are always excited by her arrival. "They yell, 'Miss Jarrett!' and bring me gifts of melons or tomatoes or whatever they have."

The teacher also hands out school supplies and gently used clothing she collects at school. This year, she is working with 21 migrant families with children enrolled at Valrico Elementary.

"The contact with the parents is so important," she said. "I take it very seriously."

Jarrett also started an annual multicultural heritage festival at the school and was selected three times as Valrico Elementary's candidate for the Ida S. Baker award, which recognizes effective educators of minorities. In addition, she twice received the school district's Parent Involvement Award.

She said she was honored to receive this year's Hispanic Heritage award and shares the kudos with many dedicated teachers at her school. Since she began teaching high school 35 years ago in Ecuador, her goal has been to make an impact at the elementary level.

"I have a philosophy," she said. "Children are not empty vessels to be filled. They are candles to be lit."

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523.

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