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New leadership: Andersen Elementary has a new principal

  • Published
  • By Airman Whitney Amstutz
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - --  "As a young child I remember sitting on my front porch teaching an imaginary class," said Willette Horne-Barnes, Andersen Elementary School's new principal, as she reflects on what led her to become an educator.

Mrs. Horne-Barnes has been enriching the lives of students and teachers in the United States and Pacific for three decades.

"I have been an educator since 1980," Mrs. Horne-Barnes said. "Twenty-five of those years were spent in the classroom, helping students learn and explore new avenues of creativity on a daily basis. There is nothing like watching a child discover something for the first time and I truly feel that this is the job I was meant to do."

Joining Team Andersen from her most recent position as an assistant principal at Kinnick High School in Yokosuka, Japan, Mrs. Horne-Barnes is optimistic about her new responsibilities.

"I am passionate about giving the very best of myself in every job that I undertake," Mrs. Horne-Barnes said. "As an instructor I was devoted to the idea that every child deserves an excellent teacher. Now, as an administrator, I have the opportunity to help mold teachers that embody this idea."

As the 2010 - '11 school year approaches, Mrs. Horne-Barnes prepares to improve student-teacher relations as well as shift AES academics into high gear.

"I am very excited to build trust among the staff," Mrs. Horne-Barnes said. "I want to establish a positive school culture in which the students can be themselves and feel free to ask any questions they might have. Also, I plan to incorporate routine formative assessments into the curriculum as a way to make sure each child is getting attention in the areas they need it most. The programs are always most effective when there is open communication and collaboration between the staff."

Members of the staff are also excited to work with the newly appointed principal.

"I am looking forward to working with Mrs. Horne-Barnes," said Art Flores, who has been the assistant principal at AES for the past two years. "She is meeting with key personnel and letting us know her expectations and style of leadership. She seems like a very caring person and she listens intently to input from others. She has already met with parents and is working on building a positive rapport. It is obvious that she is a wonderful communicator."

Like a true member of Team Andersen, Mrs. Horne-Barnes maintains a positive outlook on the future and is anxious to get to work.

"I am very happy to be a part of the Andersen Air Force Base family," Mrs. Horne-Barns said. "I will do everything I can to uphold the attitude of excellence here and I look forward to getting to know the faculty and students of Andersen Elementary."