Published: Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Lawrence Eagle-Tribune
Lawrence, MA

All teachers make a difference in the lives of their students. The best teachers have a positive impact on their students for the rest of their lives.

So kudos to Sheila Barry, a teacher of third-graders at Lawrence's Oliver School, for being selected as Wal-Mart's Teacher of the Year. Barry teaches reading and writing to her students at the school on Haverhill Street.

Barry's commitment to her students is such that she may use the $1,000 prize that comes with the honor to reopen the school's library and buy books for them to read. The Oliver School's library has been closed for several years for lack of space. Teachers instead store book in plastic bins.

"It makes sense because it's a way of bringing it back," she told reporter Yadira Betances. She also wants to buy picture and chapter books for her students.

Barry, 47, of Andover was nominated for the award by one of her former students. She has been a teacher for 14 years.

"We are so excited she's a teacher here," said Principal Beth Gannon. "She is so dedicated to the kids, she never turns them away. The kids love her."

Barry also leads a writing club after classes that is so popular there is a waiting list of students waiting to join.

Reading and writing are fundamental skills students will need to prosper throughout their adult lives. Barry's passion for teaching is changing these young people's lives for the better.

Congratulations on her Teacher of the Year honor. Well done.

By: Yadira Betances
Published: Thursday, December 11, 2008
Eagle Tribune

So when she was chosen as Wal-Mart's Teacher of the Year, which comes with a $1,000 award, the first thing the Oliver School educator thought of was reopening the school's library, which has been closed for several years for lack of space. Instead, teachers have books categorized and neatly stored on plastic bins.

"It makes sense because it's a way of bringing it back," she said. She also wants to buy picture and chapter books for her students.

Barry, 47, teaches reading and writing to third-graders at the school on Haverhill Street. She was nominated by one of her former students.

"It was a complete surprise," Barry said. "I had no idea I was in the running. Knowing that it came from one of the students means a lot to me."

Barry has been a teacher for 14 years, and was inspired by her late parents who were both teachers. She has taught at Oliver School for five years and did her student teaching at Arlington School, where she taught second, fourth, fifth and sixth grades.

Administrators and fellow teachers said Barry deserves the accolades. "We are so excited she's a teacher here," said Principal Beth Gannon. "She is so dedicated to the kids, she never turns them away. The kids love her."

Barry leads a writing club after school in conjunction with the Bread Loaf program in Vermont. The students like it so much, there is a waiting list of 10 youngsters on it.

"It's great to see that they're not just into TV and video games," she said.

In her writing classes, Barry gives students the freedom to write on any subject they choose.

"Their writings have shown me how sensitive they are. Here, they feel safe, part of a caring environment and among a community of writers."

Born in Methuen, she was raised in Andover. She graduated from Andover High School in 1979, University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Salem State College. She recently finished her master's degree in the Bread Loaf program at Middlebury College in Vermont.

She lives in Andover with her husband, Matt.