A teacher’s influence transformed his life forever, Dr. Robert Barr told educators at Denton’s Lee Elementary School last week.

DRC/David Minton

Robert Barr speaks to teachers and staff members at Lee Elementary School about improving programs for at-risk students on Tuesday in Denton.

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When he was in first grade, Barr recalled, his principal met with his family and told them “Robert is not very smart” and “he’s totally lacking in ability.” It was suggested that he be held back a grade, Barr said.

Attending that same meeting, Barr said, was a teacher who touched him on the shoulder as she spoke on his behalf.

Barr said the teacher told the principal, “I know Robert has deficiencies and challenges, but I believe if he advances to the second grade, he won’t let us down.”

Barr said the teacher was convinced that if his determination could be strengthened, he could become great.

Barr spoke about his illiterate family of produce farmers and how neither of his parents received a formal education past third grade. But when the teacher helped him advance to second grade with his class, that set his life on a new path, he said, and he became the first in his family to finish elementary school and, eventually, college.

Barr encouraged the audience of school administrators to overlook children’s circumstances and to motivate and educate them. He said there’s nothing more powerful than a teacher’s impact.

“When you look in the eyes of your children … do not let your expectations because of the color of their skin, how they speak … set expectations for how you think of them,” he said. “If teachers believe in you, anything is possible.”

Barr has written eight research books on at-risk youth and strategies for school improvement. He is an international speaker and has worked as a consultant with school districts in more than 40 states. Barr has served as an educator at Indiana University and Oregon State University and as a senior analyst for Boise State University’s Center for School Improvement and Policy Studies.

He is consulting Denton’s 14 Title 1 schools — campuses with a large percentage of students from low-income households. Barr held a session with principals from Denton’s Title 1 campuses last week and conducted sessions with staff members at Lee, Borman and Hodge elementary schools Tuesday through Thursday.

He shared tips for improving the achievement of economically disadvantaged students. He also discussed his research, school improvement strategies being implemented nationwide and the idea of family inclusion in child development.

Chris Shade, director of federal programs for Denton schools, said that Barr was brought in by the district to conduct professional development sessions with an emphasis on closing an achievement gap between at-risk and high-performing students.

Shade said that over the next year Barr will visit Denton to conduct up to 14 professional development sessions, offer suggestions at each Title 1 campus and conduct three additional sessions. His visits will be paid for with federal stimulus funds.

Last week, Barr stressed the importance of early instruction in basic reading and math skills. Research shows that a student who doesn’t efficiently grasp such skills could develop a behavior problem and eventually drop out of school or end up in jail, Barr said.

“This is a matter of life and death,” Barr said. “Either we do our job now, or the future looks grim.”

Lee ESL teacher Nardeen Boxell was brought to tears by Barr’s session. She said what Barr had to say hit home and inspired her. So many students are experiencing what Barr once experienced, Boxell said, and it’s up to teachers to assist in positively shaping their futures.

“We open the doors for them,” Boxell said. “We need to do everything we can for them and not give up on them.” 

BRITNEY TABOR can be reached at 940-566-6876. Her e-mail address is btabor@dentonrc.com.