WMAES’ Kerri Barrett Named Top 5 Finalist for Michigan Administrator of the Year

West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science’s (WMAES) elementary principal, Kerri Barrett, was named as a Top 5 Finalist for MAPSA yesterday.

WMAES is an environmentally-focused kindergarten through 12th-grade school located in Walker, Michigan and is managed by Choice Schools Associates.

“To be in the Top 5 Administrators of the Year for MAPSA is a tribute to the team I work with,” Kerri Barrett explained. “West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science is made up of educators who are completely committed to our students and I feel this is a recognition for all of us to share. We have a team who does what is best for our students every day. I am so appreciative to the parents that have trusted us to help their child reach their full potential. I have such a great respect for Charter School Administrators, and to be named in the Top 5 this year is a great honor!”

“Kerri’s enthusiasm for her job and the school is equal to her leadership abilities. It’s no surprise to me that she has been acknowledged in this important way by her peers,” explained Stan Rathbun, WMAES’ Board Liaison. “She is exceptional at what she does and is a worthy recipient of the recognition that’s been given.”

In Barrett’s past five years as WMAES’s elementary principal, the school has been named the highest ranked charter school in Kent County (Mackinac Center for Public Policy), they have made the top ten best charter schools in Michigan list multiple times (Bridge Magazine), and have been named the best school in their district (Bridge Magazine). Before taking on the school leader role, Barrett was a social studies teacher, the service learning trip coordinator, and the volleyball coach at WMAES, so she values and appreciates every staff member at WMAES.

“Kerri is an incredible leader and truly deserves this recognition,” shared Sarah Wildey, CEO of Choice Schools Associates. “We are so proud of her accomplishments during her years at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science, where she’s not just a supportive leader to her staff, but a living representation of the school’s mission which inspires the students and families she serves.”

Barrett’s favorite part about leading a school is seeing the (school) community come together for events, seeing the students learn through hands-on science activities, and witnessing the impact WMAES’ service learning students have made on the community around them.

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