Debi Barrett-Hayes
2000 Inductee
Florida State University School
Tallahassee, Florida
Years in current position: 20
Total years as a classroom teacher: 20
Career Highlights
Debi Barrett-Hayes has written numerous successful grant requests, personally bringing in over $400,000 in additional funds for her school district, and is a published author. She has conducted more than 300 workshops and been invited to speak on the state, national and international level. Hayes is active in professional development opportunities to help prepare teachers for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
Of her teaching philosophy, Hayes says she feels "less like a teacher and more like a 'traveling companion' on what I hope will be a pleasant and exciting journey."
Hayes and a colleague, science teacher Karl Hook, developed the P.L.U.N.G.E. (Practical Learning Utilizing New Gadgets for Education) Project and Integrated A.R.T.S. (Art, Research, Technology, and Science) Summer program to help students use technology in a more meaningful way and the MagLab Alpha project where students work along side researchers, scientists, and engineers in the summer at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
She also worked with the Florida State Fine Arts Museum on the Judy Chicago Project, which focused on the feminist artist, and helped develop the Artisan project which focused on promoting teaching as a profession and the demonstration of how the arts relate to careers and work place skills.
"Debi is a dynamic teacher who brings history, science, and culture to life through the visual arts." -- Glenn Thomas, director, Florida State University School
"The many accolades that Mrs. Barrett-Hayes has received as an art instructor clearly speaks to her success as a classroom instructor. However, the recognition that is most notable to me during my four-year tenure as her principal has been the success of her art students." -- Jesse Jackson, principal, Florida State University School
"I have been impressed with her rapport with students. Underachievers, average students, problem students, and overachievers alike have won art awards and even college scholarships under strong, yet kind tutelage. A young lady, previously labeled learning disabled, recently received an art scholarship to Florida State University because of Debi's leadership and perseverance in working with and for the student." -- Steven Ash, colleague
"Even the mean, rebellious bullies respect her and her teaching methods. Even the 'flunk-outs' make an effort." -- Yun Bai, former student
"We have known Debi for many years and she is a wonderful person and talented educator. Both of our children were in her classes and developed an appreciation for art and the importance of community involvement from that experience." --Bobby (School Board member) and Kathy Broome, parents of former students
"Since we have been involved in numerous projects concerning visual art education, I know Debi is truly National Teacher Hall of Fame material. Debi teaches her students and peers about the value of art as she integrates the arts in their personal lives every day. As an art teacher and the Visual Art Coordinator for the Columbia County, I am mindful of how creative, innovative, and excited Debi is when incorporating the visual arts into the world of education." -- Laura Hunter Null, colleague
"On the national level, Debi is the National Art Education Association Secondary Division Director and was one of the first art teachers to obtain the status of National Board Certified Teacher. Debi has also served on many national committees that deal with the enhancement and assessment of art education....Debi has done all of this while still producing students who win awards and scholarships, and most importantly, she fosters a love of the arts. She is a producing artist whose work is on exhibition regularly and she is a loving wife, mother, and friend who never loses sight of what is important in life." -- Susan Leff Weinstock, president, Florida Art Education Association
Education
1979 | Education Randolph Macon Woman's College, B.A. Studio Art |
1980 | Radford University, Master of Science, Art Education |
1980-present | Florida State University, post graduate work in Art Education, Ph.D. (ABD) |
Career Experience
1976-77 | Graphic Designer/Artist, Newport New Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. |
1977-79 | Visiting Instructor: Methods in Elementary Art, Randolph-Macon Woman's College |
1978-80 | Substitute teacher, K-12 and Special Education, Florida and Virginia Public Schools |
1980-83 | Instructor, Alumni Village, K-6, Florida State University |
1980 | Internship at New River Community College, Dublin, Va. |
1970-present | Free-lance artist (commercial and studio) |
1981-82 | Art Instructor, Grades 7-8 |
1996-98 | Editorial Review Board, Art Education publication, NAEA |
1990-2000 | Adjunct professor, Florida State University |
1990-present | Adjunct professor, Florida A&M University |
1983-present | Chair, Visual Arts Department K-12, Visual Arts teacher, 9-12, Florida State University School; National Board Certification, 1996, Florida Arts Education Association, NBPTS representative; professor 1994-present, associate professor 1991-94, assistant professor 1987-91, instructor 1981-86 |
Honors/Awards
1999 | Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Award |
1999 | National Art Education Board of Directors, National Secondary Division Director |
1999 | Disney Education Grants, Reader/Rater |
1998 | National Educator Award, Milken Family Foundation |
1998 | Phi Delta Kappa "Programs of Excellence" Award for art integration |
1997 | Robert Rauchenbeig "Power of Art" Fellowship, Lab School of Washington |
1996 | Florida Art Educator of the Year |
1995 | Teacher of the Year Award for FSUS, sponsored by Burdines and Dept. Of Education |
1993 | Who's Who in American Education |