Hello, I’m Rhubarb!
My real name’s Barbara, but when I was young my dad called me ‘Rhubarb.’ I grew up in Iowa and California, and now live in Colorado. I have had poems and articles published in magazines, and am excited to have just published my first picture book!
With a Master of Arts in Education and many brain-based learning courses over four decades I was better able to blend the science of teaching with the art of teaching. I taught K – 8 Physical Education, 4th grade in US and on sabbatical in Salvador, Brazil, and spent most of my career with 5th graders.
Since academic success is so intricately correlated to emotional balance, I chose it as the theme of my first book. Flustered Without Mustard: Ways to Calm When Frustrated and Angry is available on Amazon and IngramSpark now! Enjoy!
The Teddy Bear Tea Party pictured above was an annual celebration honoring the stuffed animal friends of childhood before the students headed into Middle School. We practiced table manners, had fun dressing up, ate delightful treats, and put sugar cubes in our tea!
One of my all time heroes in education was Marva Collins, a Chicago inner city teacher. She understood that education was more than straight As in all subjects, that socio-emotional skills were key to academic success. Her quote (below) was part of my classroom’s Daily Pledges along with the Pledge of Allegience.
The next book swirling around in my head is “Integrating the Arts” into the curriculum. The arts are an integral part of making meaning for the brain. In the photo (below) the students are sharing their Reciprocal Teaching skills.
