LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Brittany Barnett was nominated by a colleague, Jennifer Walker. 

"I am honored to nominate Brittany Barnett, our school librarian, for the LifeChanger of the Year Award. I have had the privilege of working alongside Brittany at the same school for the past fourteen years, during which she has served both as a first grade teacher and now as our librarian," said Walker.

Ms. Barnett exemplifies dedication, professionalism, and excellence in education. She consistently goes above and beyond in her role and has made a meaningful impact on the lives of countless students. Not only did she positively influence the students she taught in first grade, but she has also touched the lives of every student who has entered the library over the past three years.

An added dimension to her impact is Henry, the school facility dog, for whom Ms. Barnett serves as the primary handler. Through her advocacy for a facility dog, she has helped cultivate a warm, welcoming, and positive school environment.

The library has become an especially inviting space, but the benefits extend throughout the entire school. Students and faculty alike look forward to arriving each morning when Ms. Barnett and Henry greet them at the main entrance. When students are upset or overwhelmed in the main office, Ms. Barnett and Henry are often called upon to provide comfort and support, helping students regulate their emotions and return to class ready to learn.

In addition to her responsibilities as Henry’s handler, Ms. Barnett serves in numerous leadership roles. She is the school librarian, morning show sponsor, family engagement coordinator, and Tiger Club sponsor. At the district level, she represents her school on the disciplinary committee.

Ms. Barnett possesses a natural gift for leadership and is highly respected by her students, their families, and her colleagues. She has an outstanding record of professional performance. Ms. Barnett holds a Level 5 evaluation rating, the highest distinction in the state of Tennessee, and was honored as Teacher of the Year for her district during her tenure in the classroom. She is also currently representing her school system in the county’s local leadership program.

Ms. Barnett is deeply committed to fostering a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere across the school, district, and community. She advocated for the addition of Henry and completed two years of specialized training to make the program possible. As a result, more than 500 students have the opportunity to interact with Henry each week. Ms. Barnett also prioritizes building strong relationships with families. She organizes numerous events throughout the year to encourage family engagement, including Grandparents’ Day, family Thanksgiving luncheons, family game nights, school dances, and fundraisers.

"Brittany’s dedication, leadership, and compassion truly make her a life-changing educator, and she is most deserving of this recognition," said Walker.