John Barber was named the Department of Technology’s 2019 Outstanding Young Alumnus. He graduated from Illinois State University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in technology education and earned a master’s degree in school leadership from Concordia University Chicago. Barber continues his education, taking master’s level courses to stay up-to-date with the ever so changing field of technology. Barber has been active in multiple professional development opportunities offered through the Association for Career and Technology Education (ACTE), the Illinois Association for Career and Technical Education (IACTE), and the Three Rivers Education for Employment System (TREES).
“If you’re not having fun, why are you teaching?” John Barber ’09
In 2009, Barber began his career at Joliet Township High School-West Campus teaching Career and Technical Education. Currently, he teaches Automotive Technology, A+ Certification: Skills for Computer Repair, and Electronics and Robotics. Additionally, he has taught Electricity, 3D Computer Animation, and Introduction to Technology. Barber is also very involved at West. He serves on the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT), Evaluation Review Team (ERT), School Improvement Planning (SIP) Committee, and he is a CTE Teacher Leader. Barber also is the sponsor for Tiger Tech, Video Game Club and he is the Bass Fishing Coach. Barber also promotes continuing education, providing students the opportunity to travel to Illinois State University and participate in Technology Day and compete in LEGO Robotics at Joliet Junior College.
