Bridgett Barlow has only been teaching for two years, but her impact has been great at the Renaissance School of the Eastern Shore. She teaches writing and grammar to students in second through eighth grade.
“My niece was diagnosed with ADHD and struggled to learn in traditional classroom settings,” Ms. Barlow shared. “During COVID, I helped guide her through online learning, and she truly thrived with one-on-one support. That experience showed me how powerful individualized instruction can be and inspired me to pursue teaching.”
Already having a Bachelor’s in Communications, Ms. Barlow decided to earn her Master’s in Elementary Education from the University of West Alabama.
“Writing has always been something I enjoy. That being said, helping students find their voice and confidence through writing has been incredibly rewarding. Watching my students realize they can succeed in something that once felt impossible is the best part of my job,” she said. “Since starting at Renaissance, I’m also passionate about working with children who have learning disabilities and could definitely see myself pursuing that field further in the future.“
Ms. Barlow describes her teaching style as structured, creative, and extremely hands-on. She explained that through her multi-sensory methods, all kinds of learners can access and then apply her lessons in a way that works for them.
“I keep lessons active and varied with short bursts of instruction followed by interactive practice,” she described. “I have also recently focused on working with small groups, so my students get more individualized instruction.”
Believing that all students should be striving for progress, and not perfection, is a core value Ms. Barlow works to implement in her classroom. She is adamant that all her students know that kindness, compassion, and perseverance will take them further than any test score ever could.
Describing teaching as a labor of love, Ms. Barlow is humbled to be recognized by parents and the community as the Eastern Shore Parents Magazine Teacher of the Month.
“Teacher guilt is a real thing that I struggle with. I often worry that I’m not doing enough,” she said. “Being nominated for this award is a reminder that what I do in the classroom truly makes a difference.”
Attending her students’ extracurricular activities is something Ms. Barlow strives to make time for as well. Cheering them on in these areas and building connections outside the classroom strengthens their relationship inside the classroom.
Bridgett Barlow enjoys teaching at the Renaissance School of the Eastern Shore very much. When she isn’t teaching, you can find her hanging out with her niece, baking, thrifting, and spending time with friends.
