2001 Recipient

Norma Barber, a language arts teacher in tiny Ukiah School District in Umatilla County, is the 2001 Oregon teacher of the year.  Barber holds bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Eastern Oregon University.  She has an associate of arts degree from Treasure Valley Community College. She is a graduate of Ontario High School.  She has taught 13 years.

She is active in staff development. She was co-director of the Oregon Writing Project at Eastern Oregon University in 1999 and 2000 and is the assistant director of scoring state writing tests for Umatilla-Morrow ESD.

She is eligible for the national teacher of the year program sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers and Scholastic, Inc.

Norma Barber, Oregon teacher of the year, met with President George W. Bush and U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige in April.  Barber, a language arts teacher in Ukiah School District in Umatilla County, and other state teachers of the year attended a White House ceremony and other events honoring the the teachers in Washington, D.C.