Julian Barceló
Position: First Grade Teacher
School: Davis Bilingual Elementary Magnet School
School District: Tucson Unified School District
City, State: Tucson, AZ
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Music that Describes Julian
Julian Barcelo was nominated by a parent of a student.
Señor Barceló, as the kids know him, is a beloved community builder and an inspiring educator in Tucson, Arizona. He has literally created a space for children, teachers, families, and community folk to gather, share a meal, harvest, and make food as they grow bonds and create memories for years to come. His ability to bring people together helps extend the family-like connection his students have towards each other into the local Tucson community. His open door to parents show his students that what their families know and do is of value and worth learning about, leading to cultural and identity pride in the students. Families and students see themselves as co-creators of knowledge and become more invested in their learning and education.
Señor Barceló’s contribution to creating a positive school culture is present in the spirit of hope and joy the school’s community garden space exudes. His leadership in using local agricultural practices and traditions as a source for teaching mathematics, literacy, science, history, and geography has inspired other teachers to follow suit. You can see his influence and inspiration as a mentor in the work the student teachers do post-graduation in their own classrooms. The success of his lessons in the garden is positively known and respectfully borrowed by fellow educators.
Señor Barceló is an advocate for education, children, and families at school, in the community, and even at the state level. His love for children finding joy in learning drives him to go above and beyond his teaching duties in order to ensure the right to public education continues to exist.
"He is a person of integrity, respect, and great wisdom. His commitment to children’s right to learn in a caring and dignified classroom shows in his daily teaching practices, welcoming smile, and community engagement endeavors he undertakes. These qualities and practices make him the perfect LifeChanger, for he changes the lives of his students and their families by making them feel valued, welcomed, and loved, even in the face of great adversity," said the parent.
Bravo! Felicidades! Sr. Barcelo was a wonderful first grade teacher for my son Joaquin. He not only learned confidence in speaking Spanish, he grew in his understanding of math. But a true gem from the year of being in Sr. Barcelo's class was that deep appreciation of the garden and eating and enjoying fresh and healthy food. Un mil gracias Sr. Barcelo. You have changed many children's lives for the better and set them on the best path possible for future success in school and in life.
I was lucky enough to be part of the interview committee that selected Julian Barcelo for the position of kindergarten teacher at Davis. Julian was sick and the interview did not go well. But we had heard that he was a tremendous teacher, one who worked hard to connect with each and every student. So we took a chance. My son Quinn was in Julian‘s first kindergarten class at Davis and Quinn would come home every day with a big fat smile on his face gushing about that day‘s adventures with Señor Barcelo! Watching Julian‘s personality seep into the students both inside and outside of his classroom was amazing, a real wonder to behold! Yes, the garden project was tremendous but the way he connected with so many students at their level, showing so much love, is what makes him a real force of nature, a real “life changer!”I have been teaching for 30 years and in that time I have learned that my profession is built around human relationships so much more so than content and pedagogy. Señor Barcelo demonstrates that with everything he does for his students, for Davis and for the Davis community. I can’t imagine you will find a better example of a life changer!
Sr. Barcelo is a great role model not only for students but for teachers. He was my mentor teacher, and I have the pleasure to continue learning from him as a teacher. He inspires everyone to work with passion and love.
He is a real life changer, I will be forever grateful with him for sharing his knowledge with me and to help me understand the most valuable things about teaching!
Sr. Barceló has had a lot of impact in our entire community. He is an educator that shares his knowledge and experience in order to support each and one of us. I, as many, aspire to one day, like him, provide my families, students and colleagues with such a quality of education. He makes everyone in the community feel safe, represented, and loved! It is an honor to be able to say that I am both, his former student and now his colleague. To the date, I continue to learn from him, as a teacher and as a person. Thank you, Sr. Barceló!
Señor Barceló was my daughter’s teacher at a time in her life that she needed someone to watch over her and help her feel loved and accepted in her school/class. He did this and so much more. He is a wonderful wholistic teacher who connects the student’s outside experiences to their learning in the classroom. There is no one more deserving of this award.
Julian Barceló and I began our journey together in 1994 when we were accepted into an experimental cohort as part of a Pima Community College and University of Arizona joint program to grow a cadre of bilingual educators. Throughout our many years since graduation I have always been impressed with his dedication to children, to families, to bilingual education, and to fellow teachers. Julian is the teacher so many of us aspire to be. I has been my privilege to know him and to watch him grow. I can think of no other teacher who deserves this award more.
My sincere congratulations to Maestro Barceló for the nomination.
Sr. Barcelo is committed to family. His personality, teaching style, communication techniques and interactions with students, parents, faculty and staff are reflective of his commitment to unity within the Davis community. He is constantly striving to empower, educate, include and exemplify team-building and modeling how to rise by helping others. Families love Sr. Barcelo and he displays his love for them through his dedication to excellence.
Sr. Barcelo is a true definition of a role model. My daughter was lucky to be in his classroom through a very difficult time in her life. Mr. Barcelo was there for her every step of the way. Not only loving the individual she was but by supporting her in all she did. And throughout her time at Davis she never forgets to pay him weekly even sometimes daily visits.
Sr. Barceló is a treasure to the school community at Davis Bilingual and he is known and loved in the community of Tucson at large.
When I think of Sr. Barceló, the word I think of is nurturing. He is sensitive and thoughtful. The kids see his gentle spirit and it generates so much respect from them. They can see that he really cares about what he's teaching and that he cares for them too.
Two of my children have had him as their teacher. Even though each has had different learning styles, his hands-on teaching methods, along with 'real world' application, have proven to be highly effective and memorable for them. He is a wonderful teacher, truly deserving of this honor as LifeChanger of the Year.
Señor Barcelo creates the most supportive, creative, transformational learning environments for his students. I am so grateful my child is in his first grade class at Davis Elementary this year. His kindness, thoughtfulness, and patience is witnessed daily and our son is thriving in his class. He is a model educator and highly deserving of this important recognition.
The legendary kindness and patience of Señor Barceló is a big reason why my family wanted to attend Davis Bilingual School. Even before our son was born, we heard stories from other parents about what a kind, supportive, gentle and humble man Señor Barceló was and we wanted our son to have that kind of male role model in his life. We are so appreciative for the work Señor Barceló has put in to building community at our school and we hope our son will get to experience his classroom teaching next year.
Señor Barceló is an amazing human and teacher. He makes sure all of his students -past, present, and future - know they are capable of learning and growing. You feel the passion he has for his job and community in every conversation you have with him. Señor Barceló is Davis Bilingual.
I have known Julian for the past 15 years and I can't think of a more deserving person for this award. Julian is who I aspire to be as a K-12 educator and human being.
Mr. Barcelo is very generous, he imparts education, but he is also an active member in the community, giving life to the garden, he unites us with the families.
Sr. Barcelo was my daughter’s first grade teacher, and he was beyond amazing with every subject, and keeping me up to date with her learning progress. I would get so emotional at our parent teacher conferences, because he was so loving, and cherishes his students. It is so comforting, thank you Sr. Barcelo!!!!