On staff at Arroyo since 1996, Carr attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and received her Bachelor’s of Art degree in French Literature and her single subject teaching credential from Cal State Los Angeles. She has served as chair of Arroyo’s Foreign Language Department since 2005.

Carr has been involved on campus as a French Club advisor, cheerleading advisor, self-esteem advisor to at-risk kids, Knitting Club advisor and served as a Unity Week anti-violence campaign founder and organizer. As a Renaissance Club advisor, she created an outside sales presentation folder that was adapted and sold nationwide by Jostens. She has supervised student dances and noontime activities and accompanied students on European field trips.

Carr served as district liaison for foreign language departments coordinating district professional development days, provided tobacco use prevention education and Thinking Mapsâ training workshops to staff. She is a past recipient of the PTSA Golden Apple Teacher of the Year award for service above and beyond the classroom.

According to Carr, her “ideal real day” includes “students who can proudly proclaim that they understand French and can be understood speaking it,” or when the bell rings “and I hear groans because class is over and students ask if they can stick around to finish their work,” or when a student rushes into her classroom wanting her to hear a French song that he or she came across.

“Music is a great educational tool that helps to create a strong bond with my students,” she said.

Carr enjoys being creative and thinking of new ways to teach the same topic.

“I enjoy exploring new avenues of learning and thinking up new lesson plans that are different and sometimes a little crazy,” she said. “Teaching allows the part of me that’s young, excited and enthusiastic to bloom each and every day I walk in the room.”

Technology, she says, allows her to take her students on a tour “of just about anywhere on earth.”

“Google Earth has allowed my classes to see places now that they hope to see in person one day,” she said. “It isn’t unusual for students to enter the class and ask, “What do we get to do today?” because it’s always a surprise.”

While her classes include the normal course work, homework and speaking activities, “learning a new language is so much more than words.”

“In my class my students touch, feel, smell, taste and live an experience like no other. We work hard to learn, but we also cook crêpes, experience French cuisine and dress up in funny clothes,” she said. “Keeping students engaged and participating can be a challenge in today’s fast paced lifestyles where instant gratification is expected. It is important to engage every student, to give them the opportunity to have success every time they are in the classroom.”

"Ms. Carr is very dedicated to the education of her students,” said Oscar Cisneros, principal. "She is a highly valued Arroyo High School staff member."

Carr says she has always enjoyed being in school and remembers her first day of kindergarten as if it was yesterday.

“I am always looking for another project and I volunteer to help our district leaders whenever I can,” she said, having served on leadership, literacy and school safety committees.

"Ms. Carr is an enthusiastic educator, an excellent example of what a teacher should be and well deserving of this recognition," said Nick Salerno, superintendent.

“It is truly an honor to receive this award,” said Carr. “Our district’s motto is “Every Student, Every Minute, Every Day” and I take this very seriously. I know have been successful in my class when the bell rings and students say “Wow, already?” or “Can we do this again tomorrow?”