Sophomore Sydney Gregg is one of Barner’s students, who feels that she has been transformed by Barner’s class, “He is one of my all time favorite teachers. He keeps the class fun and keeps the classes’ attention. The class isn’t too hard, but isn’t too easy,” Gregg said. Photo by Tierra Hayes.
By SOPHIE FERNANDES – Print Photography Editor
Clarke Central English department teacher, Christian Barner was nominated for the Frusanna S. Booth Chair for Teachers of English and Language Arts last fall because of his strong efforts within the Student Engagement Committee.
Clarke Central English teachers, with specific regard to sophomore teacher Christian Barner, are currently initiating an organization known as the Student Engagement Committee in order to reduce the amount of freshmen and sophomores failing classes due to a lack of apathy and engagement in school.
“We are focused on addressing problems on the front end through prevention and improved culture and expectations rather than afterwards with consequence. We believe by improving the culture of the school, students will be more compelled to engage in classes and learning,” Barner said. “The whole district is in a period of change and we hope to be a part of moving the school towards what it needs to be for all our students. We want students to find pleasure in learning and see the world and themselves in a more meaningful way.”
SAC acknowledges that students are not able to relate what they are learning to real world problems, and therefore can not find value in what is being taught to them. Barner is now using SAC tips by changing some of his classes’ curriculum so that it captures students attention.
One such student, sophomore Sydney Gregg, recognizes Barner’s attempt to get students thinking about the rhetoric of pieces they are studying. The class studies how the author uses different forms of appeal to convey a message that can be related to problems students see in their school, and in their society.
“I have definitely seen Barner engaging students in what they are learning by connecting it to real life problems. Mr.Barner knows how to connect with students. Right now we are listening to Serial and he has done a very good job to connect it to us,” Gregg said.
Because SAC is such a new organization, Barner predicts that they will only have accomplished a few things by the end of this school year. However, the program has already created a way to improve communication between teachers and parent during conferences.
“We will offer an early summer school for credit recovery after spring break. As well we will begin public student recognitions in March and April. Next year we plan to address hallway culture, institute peer mentors for underclassmen, expand recognitions and awards for students, further promote community, and help school become more relevant and authentic for students,” Barner said.
