Shriners Children’s Northern California Teacher Named Teacher of the Month by ABC10

Barbara Brooks, the home/hospital special education teacher at Shriners Children’s Northern California, has been named ABC10’s Teacher of the Month for February 2026.

For more than 24 years, Barbara has been a steady, kind and creative force for patients and their families. She works with students in grades K-12 in the hospital school room who are recovering from serious injuries or undergoing complex medical care, helping them stay connected to school, keep up with their studies, and find confidence during their healing journey.

Her classroom inside the hospital is something special – a "magical refuge," as her nominator, transitions coordinator Kerry Marini, described it. It’s filled with student art, creative projects and a whole lot of heart. Here, students of all ages and abilities, whether at bedside or in the schoolroom, find a sense of normalcy, acceptance and the chance to thrive.

“Barbara helps students and their families discover that physical challenges are not obstacles,” her nomination read. She meets each child where they are, often using adaptive tools and techniques to help them reach their goals.

One of Barbara’s favorite stories highlights the unexpected triumphs she witnesses: Several of her students discovered incredible artistic talents after their injuries, becoming talented mouth-painters –with two even showcasing their work in art galleries.

Selected from a pool of candidates by teachers at Sacramento State University’s College of Education, this award is underscored by the fact that fellow teachers recognize and admire Barbara’s dedication and work.

We’re so proud that ABC10, in partnership with SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and Sacramento State’s College of Education, has chosen to honor Barbara with this well-deserved recognition. As part of the award, she’ll receive a $1,000 gift and will be in the running for Esquire IMAX ABC10’s Teacher of the Year this spring.

You can catch the segment anytime online on the ABC10 News YouTube channel.

Please join us in congratulating Barbara Brooks for this amazing honor – and for every day she makes a difference at Shriners Children’s.