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A Conversation with Barb DiTirro

Exterior photo of Firestone Hall at dusk
A Conversation with Barb DiTirro

A master educator with more than three decades of experience, Barb DiTirro is the recipient of the 2023-24 Catherine Silver McNamara Award, Old Trail School’s top faculty honor.

A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Barb taught in the Mentor and Cuyahoga Falls public school systems before joining the OTS community 24 years ago. She has taught second grade at OTS for the past 18 years. We sat down with Barb to discuss her craft and her remarkable ability to read and connect with her students.

How has teaching changed since you first entered the profession?

When I first started, our society was so different, and the kids were different. There wasn’t as much outside noise and we could really just teach. Today, kids are exposed to so many things. Teaching academics will always be important, but it’s so important to teach children how to be good humans. I want to ensure that they’re good little people and that they’re going to be good adults.

How do you teach little humans in the second grade?

The way I look at it, every kiddo, every day, is like a blank slate. There are so many things that we can do together to help instill a feeling of positivity, self-confidence and safety. I want them to know that they can take chances. And if they fail, it will be ok! I received a gift the other day, and in one of the cards, the kiddo wrote what she learned from me. And she could have said math or reading or something like that. But she said she learned that two wrongs don’t make a right. And I thought, oh my gosh, I love that! She heard my messages and learned how we treat others is hugely important. I love when our alumni come back and I see what great people they are. I’d like to think that I had a little part in that.

How does knowing and caring for children guide you as a teacher every single day?

It’s my job. It’s important to be able to read kids, and I feel like I can do that really well just from their body language and their faces. I can tell when they’ve had a rough night or when they are so excited they can barely stand it. Those feelings are all opportunities to connect with and talk to them, and just let them know that I care about them. I always tell parents that one of my biggest goals for the year is that their children love school. I want them to walk through the doorway every day knowing that there will be a teacher there who cares about them, loves them and is there to help and guide them.

The Catherine Silver McNamara Award is our highest award given for teaching. What did it mean to you to receive it?

It was so special. Old Trail means so much to me, and to have that recognition of all my years of work and dedication, I get all weepy when I talk about it. It just meant everything.

Current Issue — Spring 2024

Issue 6

OTS Alumni