Barrow Elementary School

10/14/2026

Proud of our teachers and students for this accomplishment!

10/13/2026

Congratulations to our volleyball team for a great 2nd season! The playoff game yesterday was exciting and competitive and we are proud of our Barrow Buddies!

Thanks to our coaches, Ms. Dickson and Mrs. McNeill, for leading the team!

10/09/2026

09/29/2026

Our 5th grade Green Team began Fruit of the Day Composting this week and started off with collecting 75 pounds of peaches and plums!

Shout out to Randy Priest, CCSD Sustainability Coordinator, for helping us get organized! And to ACC for picking up every school day!

09/25/2026

So proud of our TOTY, Mrs. Brink!

Continuing our 2026-27 school-level Teacher/Support Professional of the Year spotlights tonight with a look at the Barrow Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Abby Brink!

Ms. Brink completed her student teaching at Whit Davis Elementary and is now in her 20th year full-time with CCSD, all at Barrow, where she spent her first two years as a fifth-grade teacher and has taught the rest in second grade, “which I absolutely love!”

Ms. Brink’s original career aspiration was to become a therapist and provide counseling services to families. That led to a foray into social work, and eventually the realization that she wanted to work with children. A stint as a substitute teacher ultimately resulted in her pursuit of a master’s degree and teaching certification. She credits her grandmother, Marjorie Pochert, a former elementary school librarian, and her mother-in-law, JoAnne Brink, a retired second-grade teacher, for inspiring and supporting her decision to become an educator. She also continues to draw inspiration from two of her favorite elementary school teachers, Cathy Bowman, whom she had in second and fifth grades, and her third-grade teacher, Jeannie Zuchnik.

“For me, and I’m sure this is true for so many teachers, the best part of teaching is witnessing children learning and growing in their confidence and their abilities,” says Ms. Brink. “When a student finally understands something they have been struggling with, when that ‘lightbulb moment’ happens, it’s the most amazing thing to experience. I have also been incredibly fortunate to work with a compassionate, intelligent, and devoted school staff my entire career. My second-grade team is so supportive, dedicated, and fun. I have had the privilege of working with just the absolute best co-teacher, Mrs. Carri McNeill, for the past four years. Even the challenging days are so much better because of our partnership. The educators I’ve had the privilege and honor of working with have all impacted my teaching in immeasurable ways.

“I am so appreciative of my family and their support over the years. My husband, Ryan, and I raised our two daughters, Jensen and Linden, in CCSD. We’re so proud of the incredible women they’ve become.”

A fun fact about Ms. Brink, she says, is that she has had several unusual and unique school mascots in her lifetime, such as being a Midland Chemic, a Hope College Flying Dutchman, and now a Barrow Buddy.

Please join us in congratulating Abby Brink, Teacher of the Year! And check back tomorrow (Friday) for our next round of TOTY-SPOTY spotlights!

09/24/2026

Help us celebrate our SPOTY!

Continuing our 2026-27 school-level Teacher/Support Professional of the Year spotlights this afternoon with a look at Katherine Bynum, Kindergarten Paraprofessional and Support Professional of the Year at Barrow Elementary School!

Ms. Bynum is in her fifth year at Barrow and with CCSD after working eight years as a Pre-K assistant at Athens First United Methodist Church’s preschool.

“I have learned so much from and have been greatly influenced by the amazing kindergarten team at Barrow, especially my lead teacher, Kelly Hocking, whom I've been with all five years,” says Ms. Bynum. “One of the things I enjoy most about being a kindergarten para is helping students reach growth moments. It is extremely rewarding to watch students reach their goals.”

Ms. Bynum enjoys her wonderful and supportive family that includes her husband, Quin, and two college-age sons, Royce and Whit, and her favorite time is when they can all be together in the same place.

Please join us in congratulating Katherine Bynum, Support Professional of the Year! And check back this evening for a look at the Barrow Teacher of the Year!

09/21/2026

Thanks to our amazing Media Specialist, Andy Plemmons for arranging guest readers today! Did your child complete the Beanstack Challenge today—reading for 30 minutes?

09/18/2026

It was Clarke Central High School Spirit Day today at Barrow and we enjoyed being greeted by Coach Perno and several CCHS football players! We are wishing them a great game and win for the Classic City Championship tonight! Go Gladiators!! ❤️💛 Clarke County School District Clarke Central High School Clarke Central Athletics

09/17/2026

As National Arts in Education Week comes to a close, please help us celebrate our amazing arts teachers, Ms. Rita Foretich (Art) and Ms. Brianna Wilcher (music)! They help make Barrow great!

09/16/2026

Dining for Dividends is tomorrow! Learn more about Gifted Savings program here - www.clarke.k12.ga.us/giftedsavings