MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Ami Barker, an eighth grade math teacher in the Middletown Unified School District, has been selected as the 2017-18 Lake County Teacher of the Year.

Barker will represent Lake County in the upcoming California Teacher of the Year competition, according to April Leiferman, assistant superintendent of schools of the Lake County Office of Education, who announced Barker’s selection.

Each year the school districts in the county select one exemplary teacher as their district teacher of the year. A committee of community leaders then interviews these candidates.

The criteria for selection of the county teacher of the year is based upon the state and national requirements, which include professional development activities, commitment to the improvement of the educational system, personal attributes, creativity and ability to communicate ideas effectively, and professional skills in delivering curriculum and instruction to students.

This year’s selection committee members were Annette Lee, April Leiferman, Nyla Norris and 2016-17 Lake County Teacher of the Year Kim Harris.

The outstanding District Teachers of the Year for 2017-18 are Tammi Mendonca, Kelseyville Unified School District; Joel Sombs, Upper Lake Unified School District; Curtis Reichert, Lakeport Unified School District; and Rick Easter, Konocti Unified School District.

Barker holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and graduated from California State University, Chico in 1992.

She is furthering her career in educational administration and will be graduating with her master’s degree in June from Concordia University of Irvine.

Barker has been teaching for 19 years, and has been at Middletown Middle School the past nine years.

She is the teacher in charge, site council chair, safe schools ambassador, yearbook advisor, after school tutor, current Middletown Teachers Association treasurer and Middletown 4-H leader, and runs the lunchtime detention program.

Both students and staff at Middletown Middle School find Barker indispensable to their campus. She is dedicated to her work, to her students and the community.

Her students feel connected and able to talk to her. “She could teach a rock math and they would enjoy it,” one student said.

Her goal is to one day move into school administration, but for now she wants to continue teaching the students of Lake County.

Barker has two children age 21 and 17. She is an avid reader and reads the complete Harry Potter series every summer.

She has a brown belt in Kajukenbo Karate, and enjoys spending time with her family.

Barker and the district teachers of the year will be honored for their exceptional achievements at an event this fall.