For the past seven years, Brooke Barto has served multiple roles within the Coronado Unified School District—an education specialist working with students with mild to moderate disabilities, an English and math teacher in a general education environment and now, the program specialist at the middle school.
She came to Coronado in 2017 after working as an instructional assistant and a registered behavior technician for three years before receiving teaching credentials in two areas of study.
“I’m really passionate about helping all students,” Barto said. “I was working as a registered behavior technician with military families, and I was super passionate about supporting those families. And there was an opening in Coronado, and when I came to do the interview, I just knew in my heart that this was the community that I wanted to work in.”
Since becoming a program specialist in August, Barto said she works very closely with the school’s vice principal and principal, with a focus on supporting the special education staff and community.
“In my last seven years working here, the staff and professionals that I work with have truly become part of my family,” said Barto.
Her dedication to the community will be honored on May 23, when she will receive the San Diego South County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) award for her years-long work. Barto was named the district nominee for the award in April.
“She builds strong connections with students, families, and colleagues across the district, and she is known for creative problem-solving, relationship-building, and a commitment to growth and success for all students,” Coronado Unified School District Special Education Coordinator Ryan Keller said in an announcement released by the school.
South County SELPA coordinates special education program development and student placements for more than 11,000 students from birth through age 22 in the elementary and high school districts of Coronado, Chula Vista, National, San Ysidro, South Bay, Sweetwater and San Diego County Office of Education programs.
According to San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) Communications Director Elizabeth Cox, each of the member districts and county program district administrators select a recipient for this award.
“Ms. Barto was selected for her contributions to the field of special education, outstanding provision of services to students with disabilities, and overall contributions to the culture of community participation for her students and families,” said Keller.
Coronado Middle School Principal Brooke Falar said Barto’s ability to nurture meaningful connections makes all students and staff feel included.
“I am so proud to have her representing CUSD as an outstanding educator for all students. Ms. Barto is such a valued part of the CMS community!” wrote Falar.
Leadership journey
Barto is also the administrative designee in Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings for the middle school, and she said her credentials allow her a multifaceted lens in education.
“My goal as a leader is to use my skillset coupled with my experience and my education in both areas to improve student achievement, systems development and community connectivity,” added Barto.
Apart from providing feedback to support legally compliant IEP goal writing for students, Barto said she helps staff successfully learn co-teaching models and oversees the classified instructional aid schedule throughout the school year to ensure that students are receiving their services as per written on their IEPs.
According to the American Advocacy Group, “An IEP provides more comprehensive support and services for students with disabilities who require special education services.”
“I also help to facilitate transition meetings,” Barto said. “When fifth graders are coming into sixth grade at Coronado Middle School, I help with the planning, creating schedules and making sure that their services transfer from school to school smoothly, as well as when our eighth graders are ready to leave the middle school and go off to high school.”
‘Teacher at heart’
Barto also provides training with a fellow non-crisis intervention instructor from the district. The training is modeled to certify staff in a year-round format, typically with one in the spring and one in the summer.
As a certified instructor under the Crisis Prevention Institute, Barto said their framework introduces a four step process for turning crises into an opportunity for positive outcomes.
“We’re looking at equipping our staff and giving them the tools to respond to behavior and in turn, reduce the chances of any negative or severe outcome,” said Barto. “We specifically look at what’s causing behavior and what can we do to help a person in crisis—how can we respond in a way that will deescalate the situation.”
Barto said this framework is applicable to anyone in the school setting and the training helps increase fidelity that staff is able to respond rather than react to any sort of challenging behavior that may happen across the district.
“She was informative and professional,” said CUSD Silver Strand Elementary School educator Antonella Palmiero about her experience in a 2023 training. “The training I had with Brooke supports special education and general education staff by teaching verbal and physical strategies to appropriately and safely intervene during challenging behaviors.”
Barto said she has also participated as a teacher induction mentor for new CUSD teachers through the SDCOE where she said she guided and provided feedback to teacher candidates through the action research process.
Looking to the future
Beyond her current teaching credentials and master’s in education, Barto is currently wrapping up a third credential in administration and education and looks to serve as a school administrator in the future.
“I feel humbled in reflecting on the work that I’ve done in Coronado over the past years. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve had some incredible mentors that have helped guide my pathway towards leadership and I’m very excited for what’s to come,” Barto said.
And while Barto’s current and future roles may not be entirely in the classroom she holds the same “intention of creating inclusive outcomes for everyone.”
“Even if I’m not in the classroom, I will always be a teacher at heart,” added Barto. “I don’t plan on leaving Coronado anytime soon…this school and this community and this district is like my home.”
