Troy D. Barnes

Monocacy Elementary School
Frederick County Public Schools
Frederick, Maryland
troy.barnes@fcps.org

Troy Barnes has led Monocacy Elementary School for the last four years with humility and deep commitment to student empowerment. While Barnes’s leadership has earned him local and national recognition, he says that his accomplishments “will never be measured by awards and accolades, but [rather] on the lives [he has] touched.” This spirit of service has guided Barnes’ implementation of a “One Team, One Goal” framework to approach cultural change and closing achievement gaps. By cultivating collaboration through engaged leadership and professional development, Barnes’ team has achieved steady gains in reading and math, both of which have seen a 10-percent increase in MCAPP/PARRC data across five years, gains which have been accompanied by positive growth in school culture surveys. Over the past two years, Barnes has led his team in adopting trauma-informed approaches to social and emotional development to sustain these academic gains through the PATHS program, which has also improved attendance and referrals. He has also advocated for expanding pre-K education, supporting early success and integration into the school community. Barnes is a 2020 Washington Post Principal of the Year nominee, a recognition which he says “belongs to each and every member of our community.” He holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, Administration and Supervision from McDaniel College and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Pennsylvania State University.