Indiana Wesleyan University alum Kennan Barnett ‘17 has been named the 2022 Vanderburgh County Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Barnett is a fifth-grade teacher at Vogel Elementary in Evansville, Indiana.
Presented by the University of Evansville, the honor is one of four annual Outstanding Educator Awards that recognize teachers and principals in grades K-12 with at least three years of experience.
“Receiving this award is a true honor, and one that I truly feel I don't deserve,” said Barnett. “Having the title of ‘Teacher of the Year’ solidifies my belief that this is what God has called me to do.”
After graduating from IWU in 2017 with a degree in Physical and Health Education, Barnett began his teaching career as a physical education teacher at Vogel Elementary. However, due to shifting class sizes after returning from virtual learning—resulting from COVID-19—he volunteered to leave the gym to instead teach in a second-grade classroom.
“It was certainly a huge step out of my comfort zone, but I saw this as an opportunity to grow as a teacher,” said Barnett. “I knew this would build upon my experiences and benefit me as a future administrator since the only teaching experience I had was as a PE teacher.”
Barnett planned to return to his position as a physical education teacher the following school year, but learned that there was a permanent need for an additional teacher in a fifth-grade classroom. Although it would require him to go back to school to earn his general education degree and license, he jumped at the opportunity.
“I never saw myself outside of the gym, as I loved being the teacher that got to play games with the students all day and getting to see every single student in the school each week in class,” said Barnett. “But now that I have gotten to build deep relationships with 26 amazing students, I can’t imagine not being in the classroom.”
Barnett attributes much of his success as a teacher to the growth he experienced at IWU, especially through relationships with faculty, coaches, and fellow students.
“I absolutely cherish my time spent at IWU,” said Barnett. “I consistently thank my professors for the time, effort, and support they poured into me throughout my education. This award is just as much, if not more so, a reflection on them than it is on me.”
As for the near future, Barnett hopes to become a principal and lead a school with biblical values and in a Christ-centered manner.
“We are grateful for and proud of the good work Kennan is doing in P-12 schools,” said Kim DeMichael, assistant professor of teacher education. “As an undergraduate student, he always went the extra mile to effectively serve the needs and concerns of the students and the school community. We continue to pray God’s blessing and care over him, his family and this important work.”
IWU’s School of Teacher Education seeks to prepare educators and administrators to deliver exceptional education while impacting the lives of students, families and communities. Students experience innovative classroom instruction, benefit from extensive practice teaching placements, and graduate with the confidence and clarity to lead their classrooms well. To learn more, visit indwes.edu/undergraduate/school-of-teacher-education/.