Tri-City Sun

At the April 17 board meeting, the Midland Public Schools District announced their shining stars of the month.

Superintendent Michael Sharrow welcomed Nancy Barnard, a math teacher at Jefferson Middle School, as a shining star for the month of April. Barnard started in the district in 2004, teaching Spanish at Parkdale Elementary School. She has also taught Spanish at the high school and was nominated for the Shining Star recognition by both her colleagues and parents of children whom she instructs.  

Sharrow said that Barnard’s zeal for helping students learn math concepts was an asset to the district, school and community.

“Ms. Barnard is passionate about teaching math. She's constantly building relationships with students, and when she helps her connect math to everyday life, she also gives up her own lunch periods to help students in her classroom,” said Barnard. “She goes above and beyond to help the students and has constant positive energy in her in our building. Congratulations, Nancy, for being our April shining star.”

The second shining star for the month was Rorie Rickard, who was not able to attend. Rickard joined the district in 2019 as a paraprofessional at Siebert Elementary, where she remains as well as being a certified guest teacher. Rickard has her bachelor’s degree in human development. She was nominated for the recognition by her peers at the school.

Her colleagues wanted to recognize her for constantly going above and beyond her role responsibilities as they have seen her work with students on her own accord. Rickard is also known for coming up with ways to make the school a better place in part by establishing a math extension program and working with the Battle the Books teams. By maintaining high standards when helping students, she helps them achieve more than what they believe was possible.