Coweta County School Superintendent Dr. Steve Barker has been named the 2018 Georgia Superintendent of the Year by the Georgia School Superintendent’s Association (GSSA).
Last year’s recipient of the award was Fayette County School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Barrow.
The honor was announced on Friday afternoon at the GSSA Awards Luncheon at the Waverly Renaissance Hotel in Atlanta. He will now be entered into consideration for National Superintendent of the Year, said school system spokesman Dean Jackson.
He was selected for the honor from among four finalists.
“Dr. Barker is very deserving of this recognition,” said Coweta County Board of Education Vice-Chair Amy Dees. “Many parents are unaware of the hours he spends advocating for the students here in Coweta County. As a parent, he is genuinely concerned for the success of this district, and as its leader he strives for greatness.”
Board Chairman Larry Robertson agreed, saying, “Coweta County is fortunate to have Dr. Barker serve as our Superintendent of the Coweta County School System. He is totally committed to the success of each and every student within our school system, and that success is the end goal in everything he does.”
Barker will serve as Georgia’s nominee in the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National School Superintendent of the Year competition, according to Jackson.
Barker has served as the Superintendent of the Coweta County School System since 2011. He began his career in the school system in 1990 at Evans Middle School, and served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal at Coweta County elementary, middle and high schools during the 20 years before he became Superintendent, Jackson said.
Barker earned his B.A. in Education with an emphasis on Social Studies from Shorter College, his Master’s from the State University of West Georgia, and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, said Jackson
Barker was nominated by the seven members of the Coweta County Board of Education for GSSA Superintendent of the Year. In their nomination, board members said that Barker “has maintained an incredible level of respect from our educators and has continued to bring fresh and innovative ideas into our district” as Superintendent.
“For the past seven years, Dr. Barker’s main goal is student achievement. He strives to see our students succeed,” board members said, noting Barker’s academic support for schools, his steady leadership in managing Coweta County’s academic program and accountability, and his support of community involvement and innovative practices to raise student achievement. Board members also cited Barker’s open communication with stakeholders, wide community involvement, strong management style, and conservative financial stewardship in support of his nomination.
