Hello world, I'm Janet Barnstable, and I've known Marsha for many years now. I can proudly talk about her from the perspective of one who 'talks' to her every day, not face to face, but online. Because I'm the one who put these pages together, I can tell you more that Marsha isn't saying about herself! She is SO dedicated to her kids and their learning that she spends endless hours herself learning new technologies to open her children to the entire world. I very honestly felt that her kids were my kids this year as we worked together on the Global Virtual Classroom Project and won a grand prize award for our Nimohsan Space Station site. She also treated my kids as her own, asking more of them then they thought they had in them, but because Marsha had asked, they would try.... and succeed!

Her students have an amazing ability with English and are not afraid to "look foolish" if they make a mistake! That comes from the confidence Marsha instills in them. They are hard workers too, and often I would receive email with addition things for our joint project from her children when they were already home from school. It is a very successful learning experience when it goes beyond the walls of the classroom and off the clock!

Every year our students join with hers in remembering the holocaust. Sometimes even bringing in survivors to our own class to talk to us as Marsha and her students do. We don't dwell on the horror, though that exists, but on accepting everyone for the talents and uniqueness that they possess, not shunning them for their differences. My students are 7th and 8th graders, working with Marsha's 5th and 6th graders. Age difference? Does not matter. Sometimes we lead; sometimes they lead. Together we produce things greater through cooperation than any one of us could have created alone and shutting others out!

Percy Julian Middle School in Oak Park, Illinois is proud to add their KUDOS to those Marsha has already received!