Name: Steve Barco

School: Hughson High School

Position: School Psychologist

Experience and education: 10 years as a school psychologist, one year as a program specialist, 1.5 years as an adjunct instructor/supervisor at Fresno Pacific University.  BA in social science and credential from CSU Stanislaus; master’s in educational psychology from Chapman University.

What attracted you to Hughson? I live very close in Turlock, so the opportunity to serve in my community rather than in the Bay Area where I had worked before was very appealing.

What most inspires you about what you do?  Knowing I played a small role in a student’s success trajectory.

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? Getting acclimated to a new environment and culture. Remembering everyone’s names.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? I have discovered Artificial Intelligence to be an incredibly powerful tool if employed correctly.

What do you want your students to remember? Managing their psychology and emotional state is the first key to success.

How can parents support what you do? Ask lots of questions, provide feedback on how we can do a better job.

What would surprise people about your job? Contrary to popular belief, I am NOT a mind reader.

What do you do for fun? I love to fish at McSwain, golf up in Groveland and go hiking in the Sierras.