A South Haven resident who is dedicated to helping students succeed has been presented with the 2024 Education and Service Award by the Rotary Club of South Haven.
Barb Lark, a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at North Shore Elementary School, received the award during the Rotary Club's annual scholarship fundraising dinner.
This award recognizes South Haven residents in the field of education who exemplify the attributes of quality education, mentoring and community involvement. In honor of the Educator of the Year recipient, South Haven Rotary is donating her $500 grant to the South Haven Public Schools Foundation.
Joe Allen, principal at North Shore Primary School, commented:
“Barb has been an outstanding teacher for over 25 years. She has organized and facilitated professional learning community activities for 4th and 5th graders and guided grades through a variety of curricula and programs utilized in the district. She is always responsive to the wants and needs of school-age children and works tirelessly to make her students' day not only fun, but productive. Barb has a great way of making sure she understands the interests of her students and working with parents as a partnership.”
Barb Lark started teaching in Covert and came to South Haven Public Schools 26 years ago. She received her bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and her advanced degree from Grand Valley State University.
Barb is part of an innovative program called “Looping”. In this program, a teacher remains in a student's class throughout her fourth grade and her fifth grade. Teachers, support staff and students continue to receive lessons from her for two years, developing intellectually and emotionally, building relationships and preparing them for sixth grade and middle school.
Lark continued: “…the emotional, academic and social growth of our students between Years 4 and 5 is amazing. Our entire team of parents, teachers and support staff are proud that this is making a huge difference in the lives of our young people. This is truly the work of our community of educators, staff, parents, and students.”
In addition to helping students in the classroom, Barb and her husband, Jim, work with schools on field-to-table programs that bring fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables to school cafeterias at low cost. We are also working on Dutchman Orchards and Dutchman Farm Market family farms. When Barb is not in the classroom or working on the farm, she coaches junior varsity softball and takes score sheets at various school sporting events.
When asked what brings her joy about her role, Barb designs and implements the “Loop” program for fourth and fifth graders and sees how much the children benefit throughout the fourth grade. I answered that my role was to experience how much time we spent together.th and 5th Grades.
Melinda Gruber, president of the Rotary Club of South Haven, said from a Rotary perspective:
“We are very proud of Barb. She has worked tirelessly with the children at our school for many years and her accomplishments are remarkable. Because of my respect and admiration for Barb as a teacher, I will be working on my family's farm and farmers market during the summer. It is an honor that speaks for itself. Congratulations on being named Educator of the Year.”
Headline photo: Barb Lark receives Educator of the Year award from South Haven Rotary Club President.