Longtime Troy Craughwell Principal Kathy Barker To Retire

Photo: Twins Payton and Shelby Fraser, who currently attend Troy Middle School, with Troy Craughwell Elementary School Principal Kathy Barker when they attended the grade school. Barker is retiring at the end of the school year.

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Troy Craughwell Elementary School Principal Kathy Barker is retiring at the end of the school year after decades as a student, teacher and eventually principal at Troy Community School District 30-C schools.

Her first experience at Troy was actually as a 4th grade student at Craughwell. She remembers how much she loved her Troy teachers. There were only three schools at Troy when Barker was a student there. Today, there are seven.

After attaining her degree at the College of St. Francis, she earned her master’s degree in reading and literacy and her administrative certification at Lewis University.

Her career at Troy began as a substitute teacher, then as a teaching associate at Craughwell. Her first job as a teacher was in half-day kindergarten at Craughwell. Then, it was 1st grade at Craughwell; 1st grade at Troy Shorewood Elementary School; 1st grade at Troy Heritage Trail Elementary; and reading specialist at Heritage Trail.

As an administrator, she was assistant principal at Heritage Trail and Craughwell. Barker was named principal of Craughwell in 2007.

She knew early on that she wanted her own children to attend Troy schools, so she and her husband moved into the district early on. Years before, her parents had also moved into the district so their own children could attend Troy schools, which have always had a good reputation.

Barker said she’s been blessed by her years at Troy schools.

“The staff, students and families are what make Troy Craughwell a very special place,” she said. “It just feels good when you walk through the front doors of Craughwell. You can feel the happiness, excitement, and pure love from the students and staff.”

Barker said her best Troy memories are of the people there.

“My closest friends today are my Troy friends,” she said.

“I have had the fortune to work with Kathy Barker for six years,” said Troy Superintendent Dr. Todd Koehl. “In each of these years, her leadership added value and direction to the vision and success of our district. What is most salient about Kathy Barker is that she approached each day seeking the answer to one question--how can I help a student learn today? It is this compassionate leadership that is the mark of her work, the greatness of Craughwell, and legacy she leaves in our district. We will all miss Mrs. Barker.”

“We at Troy are losing a tremendous Principal, Kathy Barker, this year to retirement,” Troy Community School District 30-C School Board President Mark Griglione said. “One of the most remarkable things about Kathy is that not only was she part of administration, but she was also a student at Troy and then taught for many years in the district before becoming principal at Craughwell. Kathy did an outstanding job for us. Her staff, parents and students always had much respect for her. She will definitely be missed by all.”

Steve Foster is Craughwell’s Assistant Principal.

“Working with Kathy for the past seven years has been great,” Foster said. “She is a true educator and professional. I got to see first-hand her care and dedication to the students. She would greet students with a warm smile and big hug. Mrs. Barker led our staff with that same dedication. She was there for all staff members. She shared her knowledge with staff and challenged them to grow continuously. I will miss not having her to rely on at Troy Craughwell, but I know she will only be a phone call away. I wish Kathy all the best and a happy retirement.”

Barker’s son Grant teaches social studies at Troy’s William B. Orenic Intermediate School, and her son Tyler is Troy’s 7th grade boys’ basketball coach. Her cousin Emily Semplinski teaches at Troy Cronin, and her uncle Don DeGeus was a Troy school board member. Barker said her brother, David DeGeus, who passed away 10 years ago, was her and her children’s biggest cheerleader.

“Troy Blue runs through our veins,” Barker said.

Barker said she’s had many mentors over her years, including Larry Wiers, her 8th grade teacher and the one who first hired her when he served as Assistant Principal of Craughwell. One of her teachers was Sue McFadden, wife of current Troy school board member J. Terry McFadden.

The Troy 30-C school board appointed current Troy Middle School Assistant Principal Margaret Lopez to replace Barker as the next principal of Craughwell.

Barker said she knows she is leaving the school in good hands with Lopez as its principal, Foster as its assistant principal, and the school’s “incredible staff.”

“These people will ensure that the ‘Craughwell Way’ of loving every child and accepting them for who they are will continue on.”