TEACHER: Melissa Stanford Barnett

SCHOOL: Bay Minette Middle School

SUBJECTS TAUGHT: Seventh and eighth grade computer science; Project Lead the Way instructor

SOMETHING UNUSUAL ABOUT YOURSELF: When I was 5, I went on a trip with my parents to visit my aunt and uncle in Hawaii. The first night we arrived, my aunt gave me permission to jump on the bed. When she gave the final jump warning then it was nap time, I fell back and broke her nose and she busted the back of my head open. So the remainder of the day was spent with my head under scalding hot water and my dad and aunt driving around Hawaii in search for a hospital.

Melissa Stanford Barnett has always loved education and grew up in a family of educators. Her parents Ed and Jody Stanford, are educators, her grandmother Mary Frances Stanford Stewart was a Foley High School teacher and several aunts and uncles have taught in states around the country.

“The most influential people in my life are educators, including family,” Barnett says.

Barnett has taught computer science at Bay Minette Middle School, but will become a Project Lead the Way instructor next year. PLTW is career technology based.

Before teaching at BMMS, Barnett worked in the legal field — she has her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Southern Mississippi. She went back to school and received her master’s degree in education from Springhill College.

Barnett’s favorite part of teaching is inspiring her students.

“Inspiration you can offer the students that may not have the opportunity elsewhere,” Barnett says is what she likes most about her job. “It’s amazing to see how much each student grows.”

When she isn’t teaching, Barnett is working on developing two student organizations. She is the Technology Student Association (TSA) sponsor and Girls Engaged in Mathematics and Science (GEMS) sponsor. She started BMMS' GEMS chapter this year to inspire girls to become involved with mathematics, science and building.

“It’s not just a male thing,” Barnett says.

Barnett is newly married to Marc Barnett, and they live in Mobile.