Los Alamitos Teacher A Quarterfinalist For America's Favorite Teacher

LOS ALAMITOS, CA — Los Alamitos High School math teacher David Barker is in the running for America's Favorite Teacher.

The competition, put on by Reader's Digest, honors the unsung heroes who inspire students and nurture their potential. The winner of the voter-decided competition will appear in the magazine, win a trip to Hawaii and take home $25,000.

Barker said his passion as an educator is to bring positivity into his math classroom, even to students who may not enjoy the subject. He appreciates getting the chance to see his students succeed and gain confidence in themselves after working hard.

"I care more about my students than the material I teach. I want them to learn the math I teach, but I want them to know I care," Barker wrote on his contest page.

Barker is currently in third place out of 12 teachers in the quarter-finals, putting him in the top 1 percent of teachers in the competition. Votes for semifinalists ended May 16 at 7 p.m.

If he were to win, Barker said he would use the $25,000 prize money to decorate his classroom with fun things kids will enjoy and to help others alongside his family.

"My wife and I also find great joy in doing kind things for others so I would like to create some fun experiences with family and friends," Barker said.