Annunciation Catholic School's Teacher Spotlight: Barbara Aziz
Growing up, Barbara Aziz’s favorite part of school was getting to read every day. For that very reason, she grew to love history – it allowed her to read biographies about historical American figures and how they helped shape our country. As the daughter of a chemistry teacher turned guidance counselor, Barbara remembers living across the street from the Catholic school she and her siblings attended as students. They would often help teachers prepare for the new school year by helping them set up their classrooms every August, so becoming a teacher felt like a natural career choice.Barbara currently works as a teacher at Annunciation Catholic Academy, where her favorite thing is the community she’s surrounded by. From helping others in need to working together, it is a community in which everyone looks out for one another. Barbara is passionate about her school and believes that, out of the many things that make ACA stand out, the middle school is unique in its educational structure. After Morning Prayer, students participate in advisory sessions, where students are grouped into four “houses.” In these houses, students can earn points for demonstrating school spirit, parish involvement, academic excellence, and service to others. These houses also offer group activities that encourage fun and reward students for participation and involvement. Through this and the other programs at ACA, Barbara is proud that her school addresses all aspects of the child, from academics to social and emotional learning, as well as life skills.
As a Resource Teacher at ACA, graduation is one of Barbara’s most memorable moments each year as she reflects on every eighth grade graduating class. She’s watched students grow and develop from the first grade. She stays in touch with students when she can, and enjoys watching past students move on to enriched lives with careers in industries like fashion, general contracting, military, sales, mechanics, teaching, speech therapy, and nursing. She loves to see how her students’ hard work pays off for them in the grand scheme of things.The most important lesson Barbara wants her students to learn is that God gives everyone different gifts and talents. What they do with those gifts is what will set them apart, help them find success, and provide a lifetime of happiness. She wants all of her students to persevere through even the most difficult challenges, and develop courage and strength to continue strengthening their God-given talents. If her students learn this in her classroom, Barbara is confident they will become the people God intends them to be and will have a fulfilled life of happiness and productivity.Barbara is in her 29th year as a Learning Resource teacher. She began her teaching career in Orange County Public Schools and started working at Annunciation in 1997. She is married with two grown children, both of whom attended ACA and graduated from Bishop Moore Catholic High School. Whenever possible, she enjoys spending time at the beach and traveling with her family.The Orlando Catholic school's blog page has helpful hints for parents to encourage their children to excel academically, spiritually, and socially. To learn more about private schools in Orlando, contact us at 407-246-4800.