One energetic and encouraging voice rings in the halls of Coppell Middle School North, ready to make the day great. The echo of high fives along with positive encouragement as students make their way to class is audible.

Garrett Barley is in his eighth year teaching history at CMSN, whether in the classroom or out of it, he makes a difference in his students’ lives.

“I think being able to be an influence in kids’ lives, especially at the middle school age, where it is such a crucial time for development, that you can really make a huge impact there, ” Barley said.

Putting his best foot forward everyday, he brings energy, patience and care into lessons that teach students to be successful in every class, not just his.

“He reminds me everyday to smile,” CMSN secretary Kendra Broom said. “He’s always positive so it spins back on others.”

Some of his students’ success depends on his determination to make sure everyone in his Texas History  class excels. His care for students leads him to schedule tutorials for struggling kids, coming in early and staying after school.

Not only does he help the students in Texas History, he takes time out of his class time for the students struggling in other classes.

“I love getting to see kids overcome obstacles and do things they never thought they could do before, ” Barley said. “It helps me to know that I have done my job well.”

Although he fosters a helpful environment for students in school, ironically he suffered from imposter syndrome during his first few years of teaching. Imposter syndrome, meaning the doubt of one’s accomplishments, skills and abilities, set Barley back in his journey to see the teacher he is.

Despite struggling with this, Barley made sure that his students always saw the positive side of him, not the doubtful.

Outside of the classroom, Barley coaches girls cross country, basketball, volleyball and soccer. Being a coach of many different sports allows him to release the competitive side in him, while also helping students reach both their potential and goals.

“He was competitive but also emphasized the student before the athlete,” former student of Barley’s and New Tech @ Coppell freshman Allison Lewis said. “So he would help you with work, but then he would push you in the hard times during school or during athletics.”

He also stresses creating a student-teacher relationship that allows students to have a safe space at school.

“I was kind of shy to talk to new people and I feel like he was always encouraging me to be myself, ” Lewis said. “I always felt comfort in his class and like I was able to take a deep breath and relax sometimes.”

Alongside creating a safe space every day at CMSN, Barley is most proud of creating the Elaine Tran Lenahan Scholarship.

Created and named in memory of a parent that died during his first year teaching, the scholarship is a $2,000 grant gifted to one former North student a year to help pay for their tuition.

Barley is passionate about helping students fund college. This foundation will continue to

“As long as I am able, helping these kids is what being a teacher is all about, even if they are not my students right now,” Barley said.

His exceptional skill set and willingness to help others around him, even if it might not be under his job description, makes him admired around CMSN.

“He’s not a perfect teacher, because nobody’s perfect,” Broom said. “But he strives really hard to make sure that everything that he does is the best thing for the students.”

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