Imagine being a kid stuck in a hospital bed, dealing with treatments and recovery, and wondering if you’re falling behind in school. Now imagine a teacher showing up to make sure that doesn’t happen.
That’s Barbara Brooks — and she just earned some well-deserved recognition for it.
Brooks, who teaches at Shriners Children’s Hospital through a partnership with Sacramento City Unified School District, was named the 2025-26 ABC10 Teacher of the Year. The award came with a $5,000 prize from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union (California’s largest credit union, by the way), and was presented at a ceremony at the Esquire IMAX Theatre in downtown Sacramento on May 13.
Here’s what makes this story special: Brooks wasn’t picked from just anywhere. She beat out 12 monthly honorees who were already standouts in their own right. With more than three decades of teaching under her belt, she’s spent years doing something most of us never think about — keeping education going for kids who are facing serious medical challenges.
Think about that for a second. These students are dealing with treatments, surgeries, and recovery. The last thing they need is to fall behind academically on top of everything else. Brooks bridges that gap, making sure learning doesn’t stop just because life threw them a curveball.
“Barbara Brooks exemplifies the profound impact school employees can have, especially in nontraditional settings like a hospital,” said Josh Smith, vice president of school and community relations at SchoolsFirst FCU. “Her work supporting students as they navigate serious medical challenges speaks to the heart of what this recognition is all about.”
The award is part of ABC10’s Teacher of the Month program, which has been shining a spotlight on exceptional educators across the Sacramento area for over 20 years. It’s a partnership between SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, ABC10 Sacramento, and Sacramento State’s College of Education — all working together to celebrate teachers who go above and beyond.
If you know a teacher in the greater Sacramento, Stockton, or Modesto area who deserves recognition, you can nominate them for a future Teacher of the Month award by visiting the ABC10 Teacher of the Month page. Because let’s be honest — there are probably dozens more Barbara Brooks out there who could use a moment in the spotlight.
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