Welcome to my classroom website. My name is Barbara Tibbs, and I teach English I, and Monticola (the yearbook), and Introduction to Yearbook/Photography at Sandpoint High School in Sandpoint, Idaho.

I was born and raised right here in Sandpoint. In 1978 I graduated as valedictorian from Sandpoint High School. After high school, I attended the University of Idaho where I graduated in 1982 with a BS degree in secondary education with a double major in English and History.

Following my college graduation, I worked for two years as a substitute teacher at various schools and grade levels for the Bonner County School District # 82. The next two years I spent working as an aide in the resource room at Sandpoint High School. In 1986 I took my first full time teaching position at Sandpoint Junior High (during double shifting) teaching eighth grade language arts, ninth grade composition and literature, as well as ninth grade reading.

The next year I was hired full time as a freshman English teacher at Sandpoint High School teaching honors and basic classes. During the 1990-91 school year, I added photography and Monticola (yearbook) to the list of classes that I taught.

After taking numerous courses in web page design, technology for educators and other multimedia courses, I became very involved with the University of Idaho's EdTechQuest - a multimedia competition for high school students. After a very successful first year in competition, I developed a pilot program for Media English II & III.

I thoroughly enjoy my work with students, and my goal is to get them to enjoy and appreciate the work that is required of them.

Outside of school I can't escape the urge to teach as I train and show Arabian and Half-Arabian horses and conduct riding lessons. Additionally, I am a member of the Emerald Empire Arabian Horse Club where I also advise the youth group. In 2001 I incorporated the Emerald Empire Arabian Youth group into the 4-H program in Bonner County thus getting back in as a 4-H horse leader after a ten year break.

Throughout the summers I keep busy gardening, showing horses all over the Pacific Northwest and frequently attend the Canadian National Arabian Horse Show where I have twice taken my Half-Arabian gelding to a National Top Ten standing in Trail. Additionally, I enjoy judging area horse shows and conducting clinics in horsemanship.