Principal Wants To See Students Succeed
Trent Barratt, new principal of Anderson Elementary School, revealed his main reason for becoming an educator — to help people succeed.
Trent Barratt is focused on helping people succeed. The new principal of Anderson Elementary School says that is the main reason he became an educator — to help people succeed.
“I always knew (education) was a passion of mine. Both of my parents are educators. I used to help out with summer school programs and youth sports, and I loved those interactions with kids growing up. I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” he said.
He grew up in Neosho and is very familiar with the McDonald County area, which he believes helps him relate to the students in McDonald County, he said.
His first year out of college he taught 10th-grade world history at McDonald County High School. Then he secured a position as boys’ basketball coach and loved working in that department for six years. Next, he got the assistant principal position at Anderson Elementary, which he held for two years before earning the top position at Anderson Elementary.
Barratt graduated from Neosho High School and earned his bachelor’s degree at Missouri Southern State University. He earned his master’s degree at Arkansas State University and will complete his specialist degree in superintendency in December and start his doctorate in March.
He said, “My goal has always been to be a superintendent of schools. I’ve enjoyed my time in the classroom and as a principal, but I feel I can make a bigger impact for an entire school district to help all students be successful. I enjoy watching people be successful. My main reason I got into education is to help people succeed. I like to help kids that might not have the best situation outside of school be successful in school.”
Barratt also commented, “Every day I come to work, I love the interactions I get with our preschool through fifth-grade students. It’s been a change going from high school to elementary, but it was a good experience and I’ve enjoyed the time I’ve had here with our students and staff.”
He said he is thankful for the support he has had from the central office, the school board and the community as a teacher, coach and an administrator. He said that support has really attracted him and kept him in McDonald County.
Asked about his philosophy of education, Barratt said, “To create a learning environment that emphasizes building positive relationships, challenging students to reach their full academic potential and ensuring that all our students are productive citizens when they leave us.”