About Me!

Dear First Graders, 

My name is Mrs. Barbarise and I am so excited to be your first grade teacher this year! I can't wait to meet you!  Hopefully this letter will help you learn a little bit more about me!

I graduated from The University of South Carolina with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.  After graduating, I taught third grade for 4 years at a charter school in Newark.  Following that, I taught fourth grade for 2 years in Saddle Brook, NJ.  This will be my 8th year in East Windsor, and I've spent my entire time here at Ethel McKnight!  My first 2 years here, I taught 5th grade.  The first year I taught math and science, and the next year I taught language arts and social studies.  I have been teaching first grade here at EMK ever since!

I married my high school sweetheart in July 2015 near the beach, which is where I grew up and where I enjoy spending every summer!  In my free time, I love reading, shopping, and decorating.  Most of all, I love spending time with my little girl who was born in March of 2020!  I also LOVE sports!  I grew up playing them, and I love watching them.  My favorite teams are: The South Carolina Gamecocks, New York Jets, New York Yankees, New York Knicks, and the New York Rangers!

More than anything else, I absolutely love teaching and learning.  I feel so lucky to learn from my students each and every day.  Teaching puts a smile on my face, and I truly love making school a fun and exciting place!  I can't wait for all of the excitement and enrichment that this school year will bring!