Briar Glen Elementary School third-grade teacher Shawn Barth is the Community Consolidated School District 89 Educator of the Year. At the 61st annual Glen Ellyn Community Awards on March 11, Barth will be honored by the Chamber of Commerce for making the community a better place to live, learn, and work. 
“In everything she does - every lesson, every activity - she puts students first and keeps their needs in mind,” said Briar Glen Principal Mitch Dubinsky. “She always ensures her students are engaged in their work. She’s just great at what she does.”
Since starting at Briar Glen in 2002, Barth has taught first, second, and third grade.
Barth is also a CCSD 89 alumni who attended Arbor View Elementary, Glen Crest Middle School, and Glenbard South High School. Her family roots go deeper: her mother also went to school in CCSD 89 and her grandmother taught in the district.
“For me, District 89 is like a family. It’s very tight-knit, very welcoming,” Barth said. “I enjoy my job and I know this is my purpose.”
Barth creates that same warm and welcoming environment for the students in her class. She loves building relationships and learning from the kids.
Barth was surprised with the Educator-of-the-Year news by Dubinsky and CCSD 89 Superintendent Doug Eccarius.
“I was just shocked and speechless,” she said. “I feel like there’s so many good teachers and deserving people. It’s a humbling thing.”
Her students were excited she was being honored, but Barth was quick to give credit to them.
“This recognition has to be shared my fantastic students,” she said. “I learn as much from them as they learn from me.”
Posted: March 10, 2025
