All teachers have their own style of doing things in the classroom, but some of Lawrence’s best teachers share some habits: They embrace technology, allow students to work things out on their own and don’t glue them to their desks. Here’s how five of Lawrence’s most successful teachers run their classrooms.

Quail Run Elementary teacher Paula Barr sets up her bulletin board before school starts.

Paula Barr, Quail Run Elementary, second grade

For about 30 years, Paula Barr dominated in her classroom — standing at the front and guiding everyone through the same lessons. But after being selected to receive “blended classroom” equipment such as desktop computers and other web-based technology last year, things will never be the same.

Now, with the help of her digital self in her instructional videos on the Internet, her students can work at their own pace and learn however they’d like to learn. If they want the real Barr to teach them, they’ll get it.

“They become very cognizant and aware of how they learn,” said Barr, who won the 2013-14 Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year award.

Danica Moore, all schools, teacher on special assignment

Danica Moore, all schools, teacher on special assignment

Back when Danica Moore was a student, she often felt unengaged. She checked out so often, she said a Kansas University instructor once asked her to leave the room. Now entering her eighth year with Lawrence schools, it’s her job to make sure nobody goes through the same thing.

Previously a math and reading teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, Moore began her special assignment last year. She visits every school and provides recommendations on tying cultural relevancy into lessons and explaining how race can factor into some students’ education.

Sometimes that means helping teachers draft lesson plans. Other times, she’s the teacher.

When she’s running the show, she said she tries not to speak more than 15 percent of the time, but still makes sure everyone has a stake in the conversation.

“I really do take the backseat and I think that that’s what any educator in this century really has to do,” she said.

Kelly Hart, South Middle School, English language arts

Kelly Hart, South Middle School, English language arts

As a kid, Kelly Hart always remembered her mom, another teacher, bringing work home, refusing to do just a “duty-day.” Now in her ninth year of teaching, Hart applies a similar work ethic, especially when she transitioned to a blended classroom last year.

“I have eaten, slept and drank blended learning,” she said.

Like Barr, Hart has multiplied herself within the room. Her classes have since gone from “sit and stay in your seat” to what an untrained eye might call chaos.

“If you come in and stay in the room for a few minutes and really listen to what that noise is, it’s learning,” said Hart, who won the 2013-14 Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year award. “Kids are talking about content or what they’re reading and it’s really powerful when they can have those personal connections.”

John Bode

John Bode, New York Elementary, third grade

John Bode ascribes much of his success as a teacher, which includes winning the Kansas Master Teacher award from Emporia State University last spring, to developing personal relationships with students and keeping them active.

“I try to keep my class up and moving around,” he said, also noting he dislikes staying seated in meetings. “We do a lot of physical movement through the day just so they don’t have to sit there.”

Bode said he incorporates songs and dances into his teaching. He also affords them certain freedoms within the classroom, like sitting where they want.

“We gotta get them to make their own good decisions and solve their own problems,” he said.

Jordan Rose

Jordan Rose, Free State High School, chemistry

Connecting with colleagues and connecting with students — that’s what helped Jordan Rose receive the Lawrence Schools Foundation’s “Bobs Award” last year, which goes to those with extraordinary instruction skills.

Rose, entering her 14th year at Free State, said she tries hard to establish relationships with her students and facilitate collaboration among them all. The extra time she spends with some students as the school’s track team head coach pays off in class as well, she said.

There’s also a group of colleagues looking out for her. She said she is part of a band of teachers in her department who work closely to ensure they perform at their best. She said she’s had “a lot” of great mentors at FSHS.

“We’re very lucky at Free State,” she said.

As school gets underway, the Journal-World will highlight five great things about the Lawrence school district on the first five days of this school year.