Press Release – July 1, 2020
From: Danny Lovett, Executive Director
Region 5 Education Service Center
409-951-1855
REGION 5 ESC NAMES BARROW AS 2020 SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR
Region 5 Education Service Center is pleased to announce its regional winner for TASB’s 2020 Superintendent of the Year, Michelle Barrow of Newton ISD. Ms. Barrow has served as superintendent there for the past five years.
Ms. Barrow has exhibited exemplary and visionary leadership toward improving student performance, which is the very mission of the award. She was chosen for her strong leadership skills, dedication to improving the quality of education in Newton ISD, and her commitment to public support and involvement in education.
She is a former graduate of Newton High School who returned home to give back to her community. Ms. Barrow has served Newton ISD as an elementary teacher, middle school teacher, elementary assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and finally, Superintendent of Schools. Previous awards include Teacher of the Year and Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award.
Ms. Barrow was nominated for the position by her local school board, and a non-biased selection team of school board members from various districts made the final selection. She will be interviewed as a regional winner in late summer by the TASB State Selection Committee, at which time five finalists will be chosen to proceed in the process for the State Superintendent of the Year award.
Her letter of nomination contains a multitude of ways that she has improved the learning culture in her district, and has established innovative ways to give both students and staff members opportunities for success. During her career, she “revamped the district’s interim assessment methods and data disaggregation,” which “created a new level of student achievement.” The letter adds that she is fair, firm, and consistent, while “maintaining a compassionate attitude toward all staff and students.”
The following success story was listed in her letter of nomination and displays her motivational qualities as manifested in this staff member: “One person in particular began their career with us as a custodian. With encouragement and assistance from our superintendent, this person has ascended the proverbial career ladder, moving from custodian to paraprofessional, becoming one of the district’s strongest teachers, and is now serving as a lead teacher.”
Region 5 is very proud of Ms. Barrow and her accomplishments! Please join us in recognizing her for this very prestigious award. Congratulations to Ms. Michelle Barrow and Newton ISD!