ATLANTA – The Coweta County Legislative Delegation today led the Georgia House of Representatives in recognizing Dr. Laurie Barron for being named the MetLife/NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year, with House Resolution 466. The Coweta County Delegation is comprised of state Representatives Lynn Smith (R-Newnan), David Stover (R-Newnan), Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City), and Carl Von Epps (D-LaGrange), as well as state Senator Mike Crane (R- Newnan).
“It is an honor to recognize the accomplishments of Dr. Barron,” said Rep. Smith. “I am extraordinarily proud to say that the winner of this prestigious national award for Principal of the Year is one of our own principals in Coweta County. This is a testament to the world-class education leadership provided by the dedicated teachers and staff at Coweta County schools.”
As a MetLife/NASSP National Principals of the Year, Dr. Barron will receive a $5,000 grant. She was selected from other middle school principals nominated by each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity.
The MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year program began in 1993 as a means to recognize outstanding middle level and high school principals. The program annually honors secondary school principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrated exemplary contributions to the profession. For more information about the MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year Award, please click here.
Dr. Barron is a National Board Certified educator with 17 years of experience working in education. She taught English at Newnan High School for six years before becoming an Assistant Principal at Arnall Middle School. She later went on to serve as the principal at Smokey Road Middle School in 2004.
Dr. Barron earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Georgia, her Masters in Administration and Supervision from the State University of West Georgia, and her Specialist and Doctorate degrees in Educational Leadership from the University of Sarasota.
Dr. Barron currently serves on the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education Partnership Council. She is also an active member of the Georgia Association of Middle School Principals, the Georgia and National Associations of Secondary School Principals, and recently served on the Governor’s Education Advisory Board for Principals.
Additionally, Dr. Barron received the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders Outstanding Middle Level Educator Award and the Georgia Association of Middle School Principals Exemplary Leadership Award in 1999. That same year, she was named Newnan High School Teacher of the Year. In 2000 and 2001, she received the award for Newnan High School STAR Teacher. Last year she was named Georgia Middle School Principal of the Year.
For more information about Dr. Barron and HR 466, please click here.
Representative Lynn Smith represents the citizens of District 70, which includes portions of Carroll and Coweta counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 1996, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Natural Resources & Environment Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations, Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment, and Rules committees.
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