Mr. Barton is in his 5th year as Elementary Principal and 9th overall at Earlsboro. In total, he is in his 21st year in public education. Mr. Barton received his Associate in Arts degree from NEO in Miami, OK where he was the assistant softball coach for the Lady Norse. He then went on to NSU in Tahlequah, becoming their assistant softball coach, and getting his Bachelor’s degree in Education. He graduated from ECU in Ada with a Master’s in Educational Leadership.
Mr. Barton has taught at Lowrey, Bethel, Shawnee, and North Rock Creek. He was named the 2015-2016 Earlsboro Teacher of the Year. He credits his love of teaching to two people, who helped him grow as an educator; Robbie Burch and Melisa Rice. “These two showed me there was a different way to get to students. You didn’t have to be boring and follow the mold,” said Mr. Barton of Burch and Rice. During his time at Bethel, he was a part of the 2007 and 2010 state championship baseball teams as the assistant coach. He is currently the athletic director, cross country, and track coach at Earlsboro having coached two state champions in track.
Mr. Barton has been married to his wife Donna, the Financial Aid Coordinator at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee, since 2003. Together they have three daughters, all teachers(Kara-a PE teacher at Tecumseh, Whitney-an instructional coach at Tecumseh, and Molly-a Math teacher at Mannford), and 6 grandchildren.
Fun facts-Mr. Barton’s grandchildren call him “Toe” not sure why, he is not fond of spoons, and his favorite place to vacation is Mexico.