Coyle Middle School’s Principal grew up in Dallas, and attended Skyline High School. He graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration as he planned to make his career in the fields of business and technology.
After working 15 years in the business and telecommunications, he felt called to serve in public education due to the positive impact it had on his life, as well as the teachers who made a huge difference in his success.
This school year will mark his 17th year in GISD. Principal Barnett has served as an educator in Garland ISD as a math teacher, middle and high school coach, school-district facilitator for math, and curriculum writer. Prior to joining the Coyle Middle School family, he served for 3 years as an Assistant Principal at Garland High School supervising math and special education. He took a brief 2 year hiatus from Garland ISD to serve as principal of academic alternative high school in Longview, TX.
Considering himself a life-long learner, Principal Barnett has received his Master Degree in Educational Leadership from Lamar University, and is pursuing his Doctorate Degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Principal Barnett prides himself on being a distributive leader who mobilizes and empowers teachers and staff to take ownership of their roles and responsibilities to provide an exceptional educational experience for our students. However, he stays focused on the fact that “he is the number one determinant of the success of our students and Coyle school community!” And when it comes to creating a culture and climate centered around loving our kids and school community first and foremost, he calls himself an “obsessive”.
Principal Barnett is married to his wife Laura (34 years), and has 3 children (daughter is a 5th grade teacher), 2 daughter-in-laws (one is a 2nd grade teacher), and 5 grandchildren. He enjoys all types of music and theater, hanging out on his boat, playing golf, and family vacations at the beach.