Paige Barnes, principal of West Clayton Elementary was named Johnston County Public Schools 2023-2024 Principal of the Year.
Barnes was born to be an educator. Her mother spent her career teaching at Smithfield-Selma High, and like a lot of children whose parents are teachers, Barnes spent a lot of time at the school. She was there on workdays, and helped her mom set up her classroom each year. “I got to see the impact she had on her students, and I knew instantly that’s what I wanted to do as well,” Barnes said.
A Pine Level native, Barnes earned her undergraduate degree at Meredith College. A North Carolina Teaching Fellow, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, and Certification in Secondary Education. In 2005, she got her first teaching position at South Johnston High. While teaching, she earned a Master of Math Education from North Carolina State University.
After that, she went on to teach math at Smithfield-Selma High for a number of years. In fact, Barnes and her mom were able to teach together for one year. The administrators encouraged Barnes to take her education to the next level, so as a North Carolina Principals Fellow, she attended East Carolina University, and earned a Master of School Administration.
She ended up doing her internship at River Dell Elementary. “That was my first dip into elementary school,” she recalled, “and I fell in love with it!” Then, she was presented with the opportunity to serve as the assistant principal at Meadow School, subsequently becoming the principal of Meadow School for two years.
I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
I know when I come here, I am serving them.
Barnes is now in her seventh year leading the West Clayton Elementary Bulldogs. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” she said. The reason for that, she says, is the people. She boasts about the amazing staff, students, and the community. “I know when I come here, I am serving them,” Barnes stated.
Clearly she is making a positive impact there. During the 2023-2024 school year, Barnes led West Clayton Elementary to improve its School Performance Grade from a letter grade of D to a letter grade of C, moving the school out of low performing school status. West Clayton Elementary’s overall performance composite improved to 56.1% (2023), which is above their pre-pandemic composite of 50.4% (2019).
Additionally, all subject areas saw an increase in proficiency over the past year. Reading increased from 48.9% to 54.5%, Math increased from 43.1% to 50.8%, and Science increased from 63.3% to 74.0%.
Barnes isn’t stopping there. This year’s school theme is “Level Up”. Each Friday, students join together for a pep rally to recognize those who have leveled up in Lexia, a literacy based curriculum. It has already been a huge success.
The first week, there were 48 students that were recognized, then 60, and just last Friday, 79 students were recognized. Barnes said, “More kids are getting excited about it.” She said that the children will even stop her in the halls to tell her about their achievements. Barnes and the teachers are ecstatic about the impact it’s having on the students.
We have a big district, but it still has that hometown feel.
When Barnes isn’t being an awesome leader at West Clayton Elementary, she loves running, riding her Peloton, and spending time with her husband and two children. As a family, they do small things that make big memories such as getting dinner or going to Starbucks after a Target run.
She also enjoys reading, and she and her mom have created their own book club. They love it because it is a great way to continue building on their bond. Since she spends a lot of time reading about academics, Barnes' book choices tend to be fun reads.
Being named Principal of the Year has changed Barnes’ mindset to be even better this year. “I’ve got to level up!” she said. She sees this recognition as a responsibility to uphold the weight of the award by getting better as an educator and as a professional.
One way she is doing that is by being more intentional with everything. She motivates her staff by modeling behaviors, and through service. “I really inspire them to show up for each student, all the time,” she said.
She balances being an administrator while still connecting with the staff by observing and listening to what makes them feel valued and appreciated. One of the core values at West Clayton Elementary is empathy, and she uses empathy to connect with the teachers on a personal level.
One of the things Barnes and the teachers love to see is students working together to problem solve. West Clayton Elementary’s mission is, “Nurture. Engage. Achieve”. Each day during the morning announcements, the mission is reinforced so students know that they need to nurture one another, engage in their learning, and then they can all achieve together. “It’s just so wonderful,” she said.
Barnes is thankful to the people who recognized the wonderful things going on at West Clayton Elementary. As a career educator with JCPS, once again, it is the people that keep her going. “We have a big district, but it still has that hometown feel,” she said. In fact, in her own words, the ongoing support “feels like a big hug.”