What do the words “great,” “sweet,” “fun,” kind,” “passionate,” and “brilliant” have in common? Who do they represent? What kind of teacher would instantly be described – by both students and teachers – as all of these things?
When asked how she thinks others would describe her, Lower School Science Teacher Barbara Meyers answered “upbeat” and “encouraging,” and she certainly has inspired many people, no matter their age.
Meyers began her 50-year-long education career by teaching Kindergarten at North High Mount Elementary for 12 years. When Fort Worth Country Day made the shift from half days to full days, Meyers was told by Barbie Clemens that they would need three new Kindergarten teachers.
“So I came, and I applied,” Meyers said. “It was Jeff Butler who hired me.”
After moving to FWCD, Meyers taught a Kindergarten class for ten years. She constantly implemented science into her teaching to help engage children in the lessons. She taught them to read, write, do math, and be a good person, while executing experiments so that the children could see their learning come into play in real life.
“[Science] is a door for them,” Meyers said. “They love it at this age, they really do.”
At the time, FWCD only had one Lower School science teacher but later made the decision to create a second position. One would teach grades Kindergarten, first, and second, while the other would teach third and fourth graders. The Lower School head at the time came to Meyers and told her that she would be the perfect fit for the position.
“I got the job, and I was so excited,” Meyers said . “They built a new room, closed in some of the Lower School, and it was a nice little room.”
Through her years here, Meyers has most definitely made an impact on many of her students, and on the FWCD community as a whole. She has instilled a love for science in students and teachers alike. Lower School Division Head Trey Blair mentioned how many students go on to pursue a career in science because of the initial love for the subject that Meyers helped them to find.
“She’s done an amazing job of taking a subject and really igniting passion in the kids,” Blair said.
Science Department Chair Mark Lichaj added that he notices how junior and senior students in his classes still talk about her.
“She’s affected all the students that go here,” Lichaj said. “That’s the biggest thing.”
When many people think of Meyers, they think of all of the animals that hide in every corner of her classroom—tarantulas, turtles, a chameleon, and a common favorite: the chickens. What many people do not know is what inspired Meyers to start the chick unit.
“My fifth grade teacher actually hatched chicks,” Meyers said. “I never forgot it.”
This introduces another amazing part of Meyers’ teaching: her passion for science. Lichaj described it as one of the strengths that she brings to the table. He constantly sees her at FWCD on Saturdays working on the science notebooks for her students.
“She’s always doing extra work,” Lichaj said. “She’s always just trying to bring the world of science into her classroom.”
Blair added that another one of her strengths was her seemingly-unlimited knowledge and wisdom. She’s able to teach all styles of learning and really personalize her lessons to the children.
“She can take anyone,” Blair said. “If they’re having a bad day, they go to her class, now they’re having a good day.”
First grader Georgia Hines ’37 praised Meyers on her knowledge of science as well.
“She’s a very good scientist,” Hines said. “She knows a lot of facts about stuff.”
Meyers brings science to life for the children by creating notebooks that track all they learn throughout the year. She constantly works on and adds to them to make them special for each child. Every student receives their notebook on the first day of class that they fill out throughout the school year. It includes many questions, such as “What is a good scientist?” or “What kind of scientist would I like to be?”
“By the end,” Meyers said. “they kind of see that science is everything.”
Later in the year, LS students participate in the Star Lab, where they learn about constellations and outer space. It is a highlight of the year for many students and a famous FWCD memory. Many students leave this experience wanting to be an astronaut. In fact, Meyers described a student who went to Colorado over spring break. When she came back, she was so excited to tell Meyers all about the constellations she had seen.
“Sometimes you’ll wonder if they really carry over the information, and she did,” Meyers said. “It really made me feel good.”
One of Meyers’ favorite lessons is the runway lesson. This is where the students take foam tubes and build runways with them. It starts with each student building their own runway individually before the whole class connects theirs together to make a marble run.
“It’s not a quiet lesson,” said Meyers. “But it is a favorite.”
The excitement from the children is the part of teaching that Meyers’ most enjoys. She lovingly described how she constantly has kids coming up to her asking what they would do in class that day? Meyers’ response is always to wait until we get to the room, but she secretly enjoys every hint of curiosity that they show.
“They’ll see me somewhere in the hall and go ‘Am I having science today?’” Meyers said.
Blair immediately agreed, adding that she is probably the most sought-after teacher by students of all ages.
“There’s not a day that goes by that kids aren’t wanting to go in there when it’s not class time to see the animals and to talk to her,” Blair said
Both Blair and Lichaj agreed that their favorite thing about Meyers is her sense of humor. They described her as a sharp and witty person with a radiant personality. Lichaj mentioned how she constantly is making jokes at meetings. Blair also described her optimistic attitude towards students, science, and life in general.
“She just doesn’t say no to any of the kids,” Blair said.
After her time at FWCD, Meyers plans to adopt many new hobbies. She would like to learn to play mahjong—though she is a little skeptical about how that will go for her. Also, she would love to learn to bake sourdough bread. Mostly, she would like to focus on her garden.
“I’m going to really raise roses,” Meyers said. “I have about twelve peonies that I love.”
Meyers’ big hope for FWCD is that someone will pick up her love for the Butterfly Garden. It is a prominent landmark on campus where lots of memories are made. She worked on the garden off and on for ten years, and she wishes that someone will continue it.
FWCD would not be what it is without Meyers. She has brought the world of science to life and played a key role in countless people’s lives. Although she will be deeply missed, her legacy at FWCD will live on. She will never be forgotten for all she has done for this school.
“She is science,” Blair said. “She is so beloved, and we’re going to miss her.”
