Learning disabilities council names teacher of the year
By Marcy Horwitz CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Hyler

Thirty-one years in the classroom hasn't quelled Barbara Hyler's passion and excitement for her work.

"I love my job," says Hyler, who teaches children with learning disabilities at Bettie Weaver Elementary School. "My students inspire me everyday. We ask them to do what is hardest for them to do everyday."

Hyler's enthusiasm recently won her the 2006 Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award from the Council on Learning Disabilities. She will represent Chesterfield County Public Schools and Virginia at the council's national conference this fall.

Hyler is no stranger to recognition.

She gained worldwide attention as the creator of "Writing - How to be a Writing Wizard" three years ago. The colorful and kid-friendly PowerPoint presentation takes kids and teachers through the writing process, from brainstorming to editing to preparing the final version. The "Wizard" is appropriate for use in classrooms with both non-learning disabled and LD students.

When the presentation was posted on the National Education Association's Web site, she received over a thousand emails from teachers all over the United States - and from teachers in Israel, Singapore, Japan, Australia and Germany.

"Teachers really appreciate it," she says of her fellow educators' reaction to "Writing Wizard."

Hyler's "Writing Wizard" is impacting elementary school classrooms throughout the world, says Chesterfield Interim Superintendent Kathryn S. Kitchen.

"But it is the difference she is making in Chesterfield that makes our school division most proud," adds Kitchen.

In 2003, Hyler won a coveted R.E.B. Foundation grant. The award funded her travels through Greece and Italy, which could be considered a bit out of character for a teacher of learning disabled children. But Hyler doesn't see it that way.

"Just like the ancients, exploring a world they didn't quite understand, my LD students have to be brave. They have to reach beyond their boundaries and take risks," she explains.

In 2004, Hyler was Bettie Weaver's teacher of the year.

Most of Hyler's students have average or above-average intelligence and go on to places such as the Governor's School and Virginia Tech. It's just that these kids' learning disabilities sometimes require a teacher to try a different approach.

Hyler admits she couldn't do it alone, showering praise on her colleagues Kathryn Ferrante and Susan Moore.

"Our success is not about one teacher," she says, "but about all of us."