Happy to be teaching in the school, Joshua Barnes holds up a football from the state championship game on Thursday, September 1. “It’s just something that I have in my office, just as a reminder of how special the season was” Barnes said, “I just like to keep it there on display”.
Football coach looks foward to full-time job as FOCUS teacher
Joshua Barnes switches to teaching at the high school level after four years of teaching primary education
Mill Valley News: What is your background? What did you do before you came to Mill Valley?
Joshua Barnes: Sure. So my background in education is this is my fifth year. The last four years I was teaching at Prairie Ridge Elementary, so, still in the same district. I’ve been teaching or coaching football here for the last five years now. So it’s good to get into the building Valley and be a part of the Mill Valley Community and Family full time instead of just splitting time at Prairie Ridge and then coming here to coach so I’m excited.
MVN: What college did you attend before coming here?
Barnes: I went to Emporia State University, and graduated from there in 2018. With a bachelor’s in education, physical education, and then I also have my master’s degree from Emporia State as well.
MVN: What were your majors or minors?
Barnes: My major was physical education. I did not have a minor, and my master’s degree is in physical education as well.
MVN: How did you apply to Mill Valley, and why did you choose to work here?
Barnes: So like I was mentioning, I had been coaching here for five years. So I wanted to get into the building. This opportunity came up to teach FOCUS classes here and I took the opportunity. So I just applied and they accepted me, so happy to be here.
MVN: What are some goals for Mill Valley that you have?
Barnes: Sure. So my goal is to just continue to be a positive impact on students, and create great relationships with them, and hopefully, be a positive role model in their life and help them.
MVN: What are some goals for yourself personally, outside of Mill Valley?
Barnes: Just continue to do things the right way. We always talk about, as teachers, being good role models, so continuing to do that, in my own life, making sure that I do things with family and all that. Basically, the same thing that I would tell any student is to do things the right way. That’s my goal, as well.
MVN: Do you have any hobbies that you do outside of school?
Barnes: Hobbies [include] coaching, watching sports, and being a big Chiefs and Royals fan. When I’m not here, I’m typically watching sports or doing something, working out or exercising.
MVN: What was your favorite subject in school?
Barnes: Outside of Physical Education, I would probably say my favorite subject was English. I really enjoyed it. I liked writing, writing was fun. If I had to pick, it would definitely probably be English.
MVN: Could you describe what FOCUS is as a class?
Barnes: So FOCUS is a period in somebody’s schedule, where they come to me, and if they need to work on classes or help on classes, they come to my block, and we work on things together and [I] help get them, and keep them on track for graduation.teach
MVN: Is there anything else that you would like people to know about you?
Barnes: You know, nothing really specifically, just I’m excited to be here and to continue to have an impact on the community and I’m excited for a great year.