After serving 42 years in education, Dr. (Myron) David Barnett retired in July 2016 from his position as Founding Dean for the Patton College of Education at the University of Pikeville in Pikeville, KY. Prior to accepting the Dean’s position, Barnett worked thirteen years as a faculty member at Morehead State University (MSU) in Morehead, KY. His responsibilities at MSU also included department chair, assistant dean, and director of the doctoral program. Prior to moving to higher education, Barnett served in the public schools for twenty-seven years. His P-12 experience spans several roles including middle school math teacher, P-12 instructional supervisor, federal programs coordinator, finance officer, assistant superintendent, and school district superintendent. He holds several teaching and administrative certificates. He has co-authored two books, Valuing the Voiceless: Understanding Silent Students In and Out of the Classroom and Privileged Thinking in Today's Schools: The Implications for Social Justice. He completed his doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Kentucky in 1986. Barnett has led or served as a team member for AdvancED (an international accrediting body) in the United States, Germany, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and China. Finally, Barnett serves as a founding board member for The Way, a decade-old Christian organization that financially supports an elementary school in Phnom Penh for children who live on or near the city dump. The Way also supports an orphanage located on the Meng Kong River about two hours north of Phnom Penh.
