Fresh Face Friday: Teresa Barnes

Lana Weber, Staff Writer • August 30, 2024

Teresa Barnes sits in front of her collection of vinyls. Barnes joined the school as an Intro to Business and Marketing teacher this year.

A harmony of voices and footsteps fill the classroom of Teresa Barnes, a new Intro to Business and Marketing teacher at the school, each unsure of what to expect for the year ahead. From Olivia Rodrigo and Gracie Abrams vinyls on the walls to conversations about current pop culture, Barnes aims to create a classroom environment where her students can feel connected and comfortable.

“My biggest goal is to make all students included in the class and want to be here,” Barnes said.

While this is Barnes’ first year teaching at the school, it is not her first time around the block. Barnes has been a substitute in the district for about two years and led AP testing during the 2022-23 school year. After attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo for her undergraduate degree in Business Administration, she completed an extra year to obtain her teaching credentials.

As a 2017 graduate from Canyon Crest Academy, Barnes has always wanted to work in the district.

“I think what drew me [to TPHS] was that you guys are really well-rounded, have great sports, great academics and again the energy from the kids,” Barnes said.

While Barnes is passionate about her role as a teacher, she also enjoys taking time for herself. Outside of the classroom, she may be found at the beach with sand between her toes, cooking a delicious meal at home, or traveling to new places. Barnes also has a passion for dance. She started dancing in third grade and continued through high school. After competing for a few years, she continued to dance at a dance conservatory program in the district.

“I was really passionate about dancing my whole life and continue to take classes recreationally,” Barnes said.

Barnes’ commitment to the activities in her life goes farther than dance — it translates into her travels as well.

“One of my favorite memories while traveling was last summer when my friend and I completed the Tour Du Mont Blanc trek,” Barnes said. “The trek covers 100 miles of hiking and goes through France, Italy, and Switzerland. We backpacked for 10 days and although it was really difficult physically, we met the most amazing people on the trail and had the best time.”

Barnes also traveled to many European countries such as Denmark, Switzerland, Germany and Ireland during her six months studying business abroad in Florence, Italy.

Theresa Barnes works at her desk in her classroom. Photos of family and friends adorned her walls. (April Kato)

In recent years, she has flown to Japan and France. Barnes’ travels taught her to be open to new ideas and places, including learning new languages, experiencing new cultures and trying new foods. If she could still travel as much and did not teach, she would open a cafe in Italy.

Ultimately, Barnes aims to create joy in her classroom, and put a smile on her students’ faces through engaging conversations. No matter what the future holds, Barnes hopes to instill confidence in her students as they tackle the complexities of business, hopefully coming out of the other side smiling.

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About the Contributors

Lana Weber, Writer

As she enters her second year of high school, Lana Weber aims to be a dedicated member of the Falconer and make her first year on the school newspaper one to remember. She looks forward to meeting new students from all over the world, forming new friendships and creating stories she is proud of sharing. Weber looks forward to working on a team of talented writers, collaborating with her peers and getting to know every friendly face on the team. In her free time, Weber enjoys reading fantasy books filled with whimsical worlds by the fire and spending time with her close-knit family, whether it’s cuddling up on the cozy living room couch to watch a movie or playing heated board games like Bananagrams. When not at home, Weber can often be found at the barn, laughing with her teammates while atop her horse. Weber also loves cuddling with her dog, Ziggy, and her cat, Bowie at night. She strives to be a veterinarian one day, and hopes to spend her days surrounded by furry friends. She has always loved animals and hopes that she can make a positive impact on their lives, ensuring their futures are full of health, happiness and love. Although she can seem reserved to some, Weber loves to have fun with her friends, both inside and outside school. As she embarks on her journey on the Falconer, Weber is beyond excited to see what the future will bring and what lies just beyond the horizon.

April Kato, News Editor

In the same way her 13-year piano journey crescendo towards a finale, April Kato is intent on making her last year as a falcon and a staff on the Falconer a balance of memorable, accent-like events and legato-like relaxed moments. Joining the Falconer her junior year and being inspired by the wonderful community, Kato furthered her love for journalism by securing a position as news editor her senior year. This year, she hopes to take on more stories than she did last year, as her goal is time management and fighting the urge of procrastinating, all of which she fell captive to junior year. Outside of the newsroom, Kato enjoys quiet moments of reading at home and playing classical and modern music on her piano, a treasure passed down from her mother. On the weekends, she can be seen volunteering at a Japanese language school, drafting editorials for her internship at a local community journal or roaming Barnes & Noble. Throughout the years in high school Kato's interest for international relations and global topics has grown, linking to her hopes of pursuing such fields after graduation.