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At the annual Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) summer conference July 13-16, Dr. Laurie Barron, principal of Smokey Road Middle School , was selected as the GAEL Outstanding Middle Level Educator for the state's largest educational leadership organization. 

The GAEL Outstanding Middle Level Educator award is presented to one middle level educator in the state organization who demonstrates exemplary leadership in middle level education. The recipient must display effective leadership and management skills, implement successful strategies to promote school improvement, contribute to the educational leadership profession, and participate in on-going professional growth activities. 

Dr. Barron has been the principal of Smokey Road Middle School since 2004 and is beginning her fifth year in this role.  Prior to that, she served as an assistant principal at Arnall Middle School for two years and as an English teacher and varsity cheerleading coach at Newnan High School for six years.  She completed her Doctor of Education and Specialist in Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Sarasota in 2003 and 2001 respectively, her Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from the State University of West Georgia in 1999, and her Bachelor of Science in English Education from the University of Georgia in 1996.  Dr. Barron is also a National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescence and Young Adulthood English/Language Arts.  Dr. Barron has previously been honored with the Georgia Association of Middle School Principals (GAMSP) Middle School Effective Program Award and the GAMSP Mike Campbell Exemplary Leadership Award. 

As the principal of Smokey Road Middle School , Dr. Barron has worked closely with teachers and students to promote continued improvement in all areas of accountability under No Child Left Behind guidelines based on its Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.  In fact, the school has continued to improve in all subgroups for both the Reading/English Language Arts and the Math CRCT and in overall attendance since AYP began in 2003.  Dr. Barron has also presented information and shared school improvement strategies and best practices with colleagues throughout the state on topics ranging from Serving a Diverse Student Population in Higher Poverty Schools and Increasing Achievement for All AYP Subgroups to An Integrated Approach to Physical Education and Using Rubrics to Provide Clear and Compelling Product Standards. 

As a part of receiving the GAEL Outstanding Middle Level Educator award, Dr. Barron also received a $200.00 cash award and a full multi media classroom system for her school, which includes a Smart Board, airliner, projector, and classroom performance system response pad system, valued at several thousand dollars. 

Dr. Barron is the fourth Coweta County educator to receive the prestigious Outstanding Middle Level Educator award from GAEL.  Associate Superintendent Jerry Davis, East Coweta High School principal Dr. Rick Waggoner, and Lee Middle School principal Dr. Bob Heaberlin have been previous recipients of this award.

GAEL Outstanding Educator Award Recipient, Dr. Laurie Barron with State Superintendent of Schools, Kathy Cox