Wells Elementary School 2026

Adia Barrientos

Wells Elementary School - Elementary School Art Teacher
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Teaching Philosophy

I believe that the foundation of any successful classroom is not the curriculum, but the relationship. Before a student can master a standard, they must know they are seen, valued, and safe. In my classroom, I cultivate an environment where "love" and "trust" are not abstract concepts but measurable practices. When students understand that their teacher believes in their worth, they don't just meet expectations; they rise to their own potential. They work harder, take risks, and persevere through challenges because they feel safe. For me, teaching has always been about building that foundation first, because connection is what makes learning possible.

What makes me an outstanding teacher is my ability to create a classroom where students feel both supported and challenged. In my classroom, high expectations exist alongside compassion, joy, and belonging. My students understand that growth is not about competing with others, but about becoming a better version of themselves. I consistently reinforce the idea of "you versus you," helping students focus on their own progress rather than comparison. This mindset empowers students to take ownership of their learning and build confidence rooted in personal growth.

My beliefs about teaching are evident in my instructional style, which centers on meaningful connections. I teach students to connect new learning to what they already know, allowing them to think critically and problem-solve in authentic ways. I intentionally create space for curiosity and exploration, giving students the opportunity to expand their schema. As they begin to see how much they can grow, learning becomes exciting. Students develop pride in their thinking and a genuine desire to challenge themselves. I also incorporate whole-brain learning strategies to engage students fully. Through movement, music, visuals, gestures, and repetition, students activate multiple pathways in the brain. Early in the year, I teach students how neurons form connections and explain that even mistakes strengthen learning when we reflect and try again. Understanding how their brains work empowers students to embrace challenges and persist through difficulty. This shared language of growth mindset shapes our classroom culture and encourages students to work harder because they understand that effort leads to growth.

In my classroom, purpose is woven into everything we do. My students know they are not coming to school simply because it is required or because they need somewhere to be. They understand that school is where they are building the skills necessary to become whatever they dream of being. Whether a student wants to be a scientist, police officer, artist, or professional athlete, I help them see how academic skills connect directly to their future goals. When students realize they are investing in themselves, their motivation shifts. Learning becomes meaningful, and effort becomes intentional.

Beyond academics, I believe one of my most important roles as a teacher is to help students develop life skills. I only have my students for a short time, and I want to equip them with tools they will carry long after they leave my classroom. Many children internalize struggles with organization, focus, or attention as personal flaws. I am intentional about teaching students that these are skills to be learned, not reflections of their worth. By reframing challenges as opportunities for growth, students learn resilience, self-awareness, and confidence. They begin to see themselves as capable learners who are growing, learning, and worthy of patience with themselves.

My classroom is grounded in the belief that learning is lifelong. I model curiosity, vulnerability, and perseverance daily by learning alongside my students. Whether we are exploring new technology or tackling an unfamiliar problem, I openly model failure and problem-solving. We practice not panicking when something doesn't work and instead reflect, adjust, and try again. This approach creates a culture where mistakes are welcomed as part of learning. Technology becomes a tool for inquiry and exploration, and students develop critical thinking skills as they investigate the world around them, often teaching me new things in the process.

I call my students world changers because I want them to leave my classroom believing they are capable of making a difference. My goal is not simply to teach a curriculum, but to create an experience that equips students with the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to positively impact the world.

One of the greatest rewards of teaching is witnessing transformation, seeing students who once doubted themselves begin to believe they are capable. When a student chooses effort over fear and begins to trust their own growth, I am reminded why this work matters so deeply to me. It also brings me so much joy to partner with families. I believe meaningful relationships with parents are essential to student success. I communicate regularly with families to celebrate growth, share insights, and collaborate through challenges. When students see the adults in their lives working together, they feel supported, safe, and empowered.

Teaching is more than my profession; it is my purpose. Each day, I strive to create a classroom where students feel loved, challenged, and inspired, where learning is meaningful, and every child leaves believing they are capable of becoming something extraordinary.

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Principal's Recommendation

To the Teacher of the Year Selection Committee:

Profound Impact - a simple statement that so aptly defines Adia Barrientos, our Wells 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year. Never have I ever had so many staff nominations for one staff member to be our representative as the Wells Teacher of the Year in a single year. The number of ways, number of staff, families, and students, and level of deepness that Mrs. Barrientos inspires, supports, transforms, and influences in her teaching and leadership is remarkable to see day in and day out.

As the principal of Wells, I have the distinct privilege of observing a wide spectrum of teaching styles and philosophies. However, Adia stands out as a singular force of nature —an exceptional educator whose creativity, grit, and deep-seated commitment to student success make her a premier candidate for the Plano ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year.

In Adia's classroom, education transcends the simple delivery of curriculum; it is a meticulously crafted experience. She designs academic journeys that do more than just meet standards—they spark a deep-seated curiosity and challenge students to think critically about the world around them. Her classroom is a place where learning feels magical, fun, and deeply engaging. This is not by accident, but by design. Adia spends hours preparing activities that honor the individual strengths of every child, ensuring that no student is left unchallenged. Witnessing her teaching is awe-inspiring - her classroom is fun, it is highly engaging, full of songs and chants, and students who are smiling as they are learning. She normalizes and even celebrates making mistakes, modeling herself, as she believes this truly is an important part of the learning process. But more importantly, it is being able to build perseverance, show grit, and have a positive can-do attitude to help you achieve anything - ALL of her students have this approach in her classroom!

Adia's classroom management is nothing short of masterful. In an era where classroom dynamics can be increasingly complex, she maintains a calm, consistent environment where expectations are crystal clear. This stability allows her students to feel both supported and empowered. She leads with a quiet strength and a steady patience that commands respect without demanding it. Adia understands that discipline is not about control, but about creating the safety necessary for intellectual risk-taking and providing those individualized motivators or praise pieces that make each student thrive. Be it a SpongeBob Choice Chart, or an opportunity to earn lunch with her, or teacher helper privileges, she is one that works to support and motivate all students at their level.

One of Adia's most significant contributions to our campus is her innovative approach to inclusive technology. She goes above and beyond to utilize digital tools not just for the sake of novelty, but to create a truly equitable learning space. Whether she is using tech to bridge a language gap, provide alternative assessment methods for students with different learning needs, or simply to make a difficult concept more visual, her goal is always the same: ensuring every child can succeed. She has been a pioneer in the interactive BenQ board, lead sessions for staff on how to use, lead training for applications and resources, and modeled her own learning curve to her students for them to not be afraid of taking risks with the new tools! She also will volunteer to create products that are helpful for our school through her technology skills and creative thinking - her PBIS student videos are LOVED by our students, and the UIL A+ Academic Hype Video was just the touch our Wells team needed heading into competition. These artifacts are only a glimpse into the possibilities of what Adia can dream of and create!

Adia's impact radiates far beyond the four walls of her classroom. As a team leader at Wells, she brings a "zest for life" to the teaching profession that is truly infectious. She is the definition of a team player, always the first to volunteer her time to help a colleague troubleshoot a technical issue or brainstorm a new instructional strategy. Her peers look to her for guidance because she leads with positivity and a collaborative spirit that lifts the entire grade level.

Adia recognizes that a child's education is a holistic endeavor that does not end when the school day is over. She works with incredible intentionality to build lasting partnerships with her students' families. She is a highly sought after teacher for younger siblings of families where she has taught older siblings. She pours her heart and mind into getting to know the community, understanding the unique backgrounds and stories of the families she serves. By fostering these deep-rooted relationships, she creates a support system that wraps around the student. Parents know Adia as a great communicator—someone who is honest, compassionate, and deeply invested in their child's well- being. This trust between home and school is a cornerstone of her success and a primary reason why her students make such remarkable strides both socially and academically.

In every way, Adia embodies what we hope for in an educator: creativity rooted in strong tradition, unwavering fortitude, and a genuine heart for children. She goes above and beyond every single day, and Wells is a better place because of her. She is truly deserving of this recognition. It is with great pleasure that I recommend Mrs. Adia Barrientos for Elementary Teacher of the Year for Plano ISD in the 2025-2026 school year. She is an amazing educator, employee, and person. She impresses and inspires many in her role as educator, and I so wish I could allow her to somehow not only positively and dynamically impact not only the students at Wells, but across the district!

With My Highest Regards,

Sara Meyer
Principal
Wells Elementary School

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