Donna Barger: Teaching ‘feeds my soul’

By Emily Burleigh

Donna Barger, 65, has been a part of Our Lady Queen of Heaven school for the majority of her life.

She is an OLQHS alumni (so is her husband and daughter) and has been a faculty member for 37 years. OLQHS is a “ second family” to her.

“It is a place filled with love and respect for one another. We take care of each other. When someone is in need, our staff and administration is there ready to help.”

Her teachers at OLQHS showed her the importance of teachers and motivated her to follow the same path. Her love for children and drive to make a difference in the world make teaching the perfect career.

“It brings me so much joy,” she said. “I don’t think of being a teacher as a job. I think of it as a vocation. It feeds my soul. Seeing each child grow academically and spiritually is the best gift ever.”

After graduating high school, she attended McNeese State University to earn her bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

She started her career at OLQHS in 1985 at the Early Childhood Center that was located behind the church rectory. In 1989, she began teaching second grade.

In the 33 years she has taught second-graders, Barger can comfortably say that she loves teaching this age group. She said that a big reason for the joy she experiences in the classroom is her students’ energized curiosity.

“Second-graders are so much fun to teach. They get excited about learning. We learn and have fun doing it. From the beginning to the end, you are able to see so much growth. It’s very rewarding.”

At this grade level, she also gets to help prepare her students for two Catholic sacraments: reconciliation and first communion. She considers herself blessed to have the opportunity to “help them on their journey growing closer to God.”

“I feel that I am doing God’s work,” she said. “When preparing the children for reconciliation, I get to teach them about God’s love and mercy. I want them to know that God is always there for them no matter what. When preparing them for first communion, I get to prepare them to receive Jesus. Jesus becomes one with them.”

Barger teaches them to “learn, love and serve.” She makes learning fun to keep her students engaged with the curriculum. Promoting literacy is one of her main focuses.

“I’m a big accelerated reading person. I try really hard to motivate kids to read. If you can read, you can do anything.”

She sees education as the “solid foundation” that supports children on their journey to a successful adult life. This is an important mission, and she noted that it is important for teachers to not lost their motivation.

“Always want the best for your kids. Don’t just settle. Push them in every way to be the best they can be.”

This month, Barger is retiring. She said she will be spending plenty of time with her grandson.

“He is my one and only. I want to spend as much time as I can with him. I also want to spend time with my mom. I don’t want to look back and regret that I should have retired earlier. Time is precious. Once it’s gone, that’s it.”

After nearly four decades of teaching children, her advice to her peers is to “put your heart in everything you do.”

“Teach them to learn, but also to love. Give them boundaries. They will make mistakes, but show them the way. Let them know that you have their back. Love them like they were your own children.”