Meet Barbra!

Barbra is a fun, creative, and deeply committed Sunshine Method tutor. With years of experience supporting children on their learning journeys, she brings warmth, positivity, and passion to every session.

Join our conversation with Barbra below:

Hi Barbra, thank you for joining us! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’ve been tutoring with The Sunshine Method for over two years now. A fun fact about me? I used to be a clown! I performed at birthday parties, which really helped me tap into my playful side with kids. I also homeschooled my daughter and have always loved working with children and supporting their education, it’s something I’ve done for quite a while.

That is so fun! What motivates you to tutor and mentor children?

I see how the school system sometimes falls short in giving kids a strong foundation, and that drives me to step in and help. I want to see children succeed, and I love being the one to help lay that foundation for them. It’s so rewarding to see them get excited just because someone is finally showing up, focusing on them, and truly caring about their education.

I send my kiddos little rewards and encouragement, and they’ve all been hitting incredible goals. With all the FAST testing going on, they’re surpassing last year’s scores, I’m just so, so proud of them. They feel like my own kids, and their parents know they’re my kiddos too.

What is one of the best experiences that you’ve had since becoming a tutor?

Oh my gosh, there are so many! One that really stands out right now is a seventh grader I’ve been working with for just a few months. When we started, he couldn’t read at all. He didn’t know his letters, had no understanding of phonics, and didn’t know how to sound out words. But now? He’s reading little second- and third-grade stories! He loves animals, so I find stories about animals for him, and he’s actually reading them and sounding out the words on his own. I’m just so proud of him.

Another experience I love is helping my students write and publish their own books. Some of them have already done it, and it’s made such a difference in their writing and reading test scores, most of them jumped up at least one level this year! This summer, we’re working on a group project where each student is writing about a critically endangered species they’ve chosen. It’s a fun way for them to stay engaged, be creative, and feel proud of their work.

Those sound like amazing experiences! Especially the idea of writing stories with your students! What role do you believe that education plays in a child’s life?

Education plays such a huge role, it helps shape a child’s character and how they see themselves. It can really make or break their self-confidence. That’s why I always ask my students about their goals and what they want to be, and then we work toward that together. We build that trust and rapport, and they know Miss Barbra has their back.

Especially in those early years, it’s so important. That’s when they decide whether they enjoy learning or not. I want to give them the kind of foundation that makes them say, “This is actually fun, I want to learn.” That mindset can change everything.

That is so true! How has education changed your life?

I’ve always had a love for learning, I'm constantly wanting to discover new things. Being able to share that curiosity and passion with families and their children is incredibly fulfilling. It's hard to put into words, but it gives me such a deep sense of accomplishment.

Watching kids start to thrive, seeing them light up when they learn something new, and hearing their parents say, “They’re coming alive again”, that’s everything to me. You can really see that spark return, and it’s the best feeling in the world. You just know, they want to learn.

What do you think it takes to be a Sunshine Method tutor?

It takes dedication, and a real desire to build strong, trusting relationships with your students. If a child doesn’t feel connected to you, they won’t be as open or willing to learn. But when they trust you, they’ll confide in you, even about things they may not tell anyone else, like if they’re being bullied. I’ve had a student like that, and because we built that rapport, I was able to speak with the parents and be included in school meetings to help support them. That level of trust is so valuable.

To me, every child deserves to feel like they’re number one, just like your motto says, and I make sure each of my students knows they’re important to me. I even run group activities, with parent permission, so the kids can connect with one another. They realize they’re not alone in their struggles, and it helps them open up and grow. We do science projects together, we write books, they get to see each other’s work, laugh together, and feel proud. The parents love it, and the kids look forward to it every time.

At the end of the day, learning should be fun. I make sure they know I care, that I’m on their side, and that I believe in them. That’s what makes all the difference.

Do you have any advice you’d want to give to other tutors at Sunshine?

The biggest thing is to build a strong rapport, and have fun with your students! Yes, we’re here to teach, but kids love learning when it’s fun. There are so many creative ways to keep them engaged, word puzzles, drawing games, snowman, you name it. Use your imagination and explore all the great resources out there.

Most importantly, make sure every child knows how much they matter to you. That sense of connection really boosts their morale and confidence. When they know they can talk to you about anything, they open up. Sometimes they just need to be heard, and other times I might need to loop in a parent to help resolve something. Either way, they know I’m there for them.

I even do “Fun Fridays” sometimes, just educational games and laughter. They love it! So my advice? Make learning fun, and let them see you having fun too. It makes all the difference.

Great advice! Going off that last question, is there a piece of advice someone has given you that’s stuck with you through the years?

Yes, someone once told me, “Always be yourself, Barbara.” I’ve carried that with me ever since. I’ve got a fun side, a playful personality, and I’ve always connected well with kids. So I try to just be myself and let them see that it’s okay to make mistakes, we all do. It’s about being real with them, showing them your values, and letting them know it’s safe to be who they are too.

Do you have any tips for keeping the kids engaged while you’re working with them?

Definitely! If I notice they’re starting to lose focus, I’ll switch things up with a quick game like tic-tac-toe or hangman using the words we’ve been learning. I’ll ask, “Does your brain need a break like Miss Barbra’s?” and they’ll usually say, “Yes, Miss Barbra!” So we take a quick break, play a round or two, and then jump back into learning.

Sometimes we’ll draw, or if we’re on LessonSpace, we’ll take silly pictures, some of the kids have figured out how to snap them themselves, and we keep a “funny photo” page just to laugh together. For others, I’ll bring in sensory activities like play-dough or a bouncy ball. Every child is different, so I try to learn what each one enjoys and use that to keep them motivated and having fun. It makes a big difference!

What are your hopes for your students in the future?

I hope they carry the foundation we’ve built together and continue to grow from it. I want them to always know that Miss Barbra is in their corner, even after our tutoring sessions end. Some of my students have my phone number, and I tell them, “Even if you’re out of hours, if you need someone to talk to, I’m still here.”

A lot of them start to panic when they’re about to move into middle school because they think they’re going to lose that support. But I always reassure them, “I’m not going anywhere.” That sense of consistency and connection gives them the confidence to keep going.

More than anything, I want them to keep learning, not just from what I’ve taught them, but from the example I try to set. If they can see that love, feel that encouragement, and carry it forward in their own lives, then I’ve done my job.