Winthrop is known for being a tight-knit town, and once friendships among residents are made, they tend to last a lifetime. When Cheryl Barker moved to Winthrop in the seventh-grade, she met her husband as well as many best friends in Mr. Capezza’s seventh grade homeroom. Years later, this same circle of friends are still connected, and they have countless, shared memories. After Barker graduated from Winthrop High School in 1983, she attended Worcester State College for two years, where she studied early childhood education. She then transferred to Suffolk University and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education with a minor in psychology. Driven to make a difference in today’s youth, Barker took her education a step further and attained a master’s degree in moderate special needs from Lesley University.
Barker landed her first teaching job at East Boston Central Catholic School, teaching grade three and then went on to teach at the Shore Educational Collaborative special needs program.
And today, she is a special needs teacher for third and fourth grades at the Arthur Cummings School. Still married to the seventh-grader that she met in Mr. Capezza’s homeroom class, Barker has three children, Lindsey, Jimmy and Justin, who all graduated from Winthrop High School as well.
If you weren’t a teacher, what other profession could you see yourself doing?
If I wasn’t a teacher, I would love to be a yoga instructor.
Who inspired you along the way?
The one teacher that comes to mind that inspired me to be a teacher would be Mr. Nibblet. He was my eighth-and-ninth-grade math teacher in junior high. He had so much passion for teaching and helped children understand the concept of algebra (not my favorite subject) without making them feel bad about themselves. He took his time and gave extra help when needed. He was quite an inspiration. I see Mr. Nibblet around town, and he always brings back good memories.
Do your students inspire you?
My students inspire me each and every day! I love walking through the Cummings door each morning. No matter what, I know the students will always bring a smile to my face.