Russel Barnell, Tech teacher at WRMS, is finally ready to say goodbye after 32 years of working for WRMS. His first year was the first full year that WRMS was open, so he’s been around for a long time. His co-workers are going to miss him very much, and he has made many friends and memories.
One of Barnell’s favorite things about teaching is “when a student gets something they are struggling to understand.” Another one of his favorites is just celebrating with staff and students on accomplishments. “The latest of these was the 8th Grade boys earning the Centennial Middle League title in track this year.” He will miss all of these moments and memories but what he will miss most is, “The daily interaction with the great people here at WRMS.”
One of Barnell’s very close friends and colleagues, fellow tech teacher Mr. Willis, had been teaching and coaching with Barnell for 11 years and says he’s a great mentor and friend. “It is hard to narrow down the best moments, but I really appreciate the time he has spent teaching me how to be a good teacher and an even better person.” Willis said Barnell will drop anything to help someone in need. “Mr. Barnell is one of the best examples I have ever met for someone who truly cares about you and your best interests in everything he does.”
Mr. Dial, 8th grade principal, has known and worked with Barnell for 15 years and over those years, his best moments with Barnell have been collaborating and communicating with him on different activities and events related to school. “Mr. Barnell is a great individual who always went above and beyond and I appreciated his dedication to WRMS.” According to Dial, Barnell has always found it easy to adapt and adjust with changing times, and that’s what he loves about Barnell. “Mr. Barnell has taken the time to learn new things and implement those into the classroom setting so students could learn how to utilize those skills.”
Fun Fact: Over the years that Barnell has taught here at WRMS, he was a teacher for some of his coworkers. Some teachers that Barnell has taught include: Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Stones, Mr. Short, Ms. Weidenbach, Ms. Peery, and Officer Rachel Weaver. Short even said, “Tech was one of my favorite classes in middle school. In fact, I still have a Jayhawk that I made in the woodshop.”
In summation, Barnell will be missed by many teachers and students, and will be replaced by a new tech teacher. Tech classes however will be split, one teacher will be here at WRMS and one will be at WRNMS, the new middle school.
