A local high school teacher is being honored as one of the top teachers in the state by the Department of Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Brenham High School teacher, Jason Barber, has been selected as the Texas VFW entry for the Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Teacher Program for 2019-2020 in grades 9-12. Barber's entry will now move him on to the National Headquarters for the National judging.
Barber is the head Social Studies teacher at Brenham High School.
He was approached by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7104 to put in application in for the achievement.
"I was going, 'I don't really have a chance,'" said Barber. "There are lots of people doing a lot of amazing things all over the state."
For Barber's colleagues it was a no brainier as to why he was chosen.
"The hard work that he puts in with the kids and with the department is phenomenal," said Joseph Chandler, the principal at Brenham High School. "It is an incredible recognition for the school, but its a huge credit to Jason for all of his handwork."
Barber has a history of reaching out to the community through projects at school. For example, starting the school's Voter Registration Drive to get students to encourage one another to vote.
"We've not only gotten students, but faculty members who were new to the area to register in this county," Barber said.
The drive has gotten more than 400 people to register within its five years. It happens every spring and fall.
"I believe that if people care about whats going on in their community, in their state or at the national level; the only way to affect change is to get involved yourself," Barber said.
A recent highlight for Barber was when he and AP government class hosted the schools first mayoral debate in spring 2019.
"Two local candidates came in and we showed kids that the political process could be congenial and adversarial," Barber said.
Barber said part of this honor goes to his students. As far as he's concerned, he'll always be there to help guide them along the way.
"Its all been the kids idea, and I just let them run it," Barber said.
Barber will receive $1,000 and a plaque recognizing his achievement.
He will attend an Awards Banquet at the 2020 Texas VFW Mid-Winter Conference on Jan. 25 in Austin, Texas.
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