Leading with the heart

(Above) Five-year-old Payton Feuerbach and her mother, Jamie, had some fun congratulating Principal Mike Barkley on his retirement at an open house in his honor.   Barkley hired Jamie Feuerbach nine years ago as a teacher at the school. Also pictured is teacher Angie Lester with Karen Barkley.

Public thanks Mike Barkley for 22 yearsleading CL students

A Clear Lake school leader who has touched the lives of thousands of children and adults in the community and beyond was honored for his 22 years of service to the district last week.

Hundreds filled the Clear Creek Elementary School cafeteria to let Mike Barkley know how much he has meant to them as an elementary school principal in Clear Lake.

Sally Duesenberg, who will fill Barkley’s large shoes in the fall, said she has been visiting classrooms and asking students what the most important thing is for her to know or do as their new principal.  Their advice?  “Be silly.  Be fun— that’s what I’m hearing,” she said.   

“That’s who you are and the kids love you,” she told Barkley.  “Thank you for leading with your heart and for all the lives you’ve touched.”

Former administrators to students took to the podium during a special program planned for Barkley Wednesday.  Superintendent Anita Micich called Barkley a mentor to her as she stepped into her role six years ago.

“Puts kids first; student centered; understanding; models what’s expected of students and teachers; welcoming; visible; funny (most of the time)” were just a few of the characteristics she heard about Mike when surveying district staff.  “It’s an honor to work with Mike and the team.”

Teamwork - and Barkley’s devotion to the Duke University basketball team, was referenced several times in the program.  Former superintendent Dwight Pierson detailed Barkley’s start in education, from a student in Des Moines who loved basketball, to a physical education teacher and coach whose enthusiasm was infectious.  Pierson read a letter from the Houston, Texas principal who recognized Barkley’s infectious spirit and hired him.  She called it the best decision she ever made. “He was full of ideas with the vision and insight to get it done.”

Barkley become an assistant principal, then principal and finally director of elementary schools for a large area of Texas before returning home to Iowa and Clear Lake in 1994.  Pierson credited Barkley with bringing Sunset and Lincoln Elementary Schools together, helping to plan and oversee the construction of Clear Creek, starting all-day, everyday kindergarten, preschool and much more.

Another former superintendent, Mike Teigland, chuckled as he recalled Barkley being among those interviewing him for the Clear Lake top job.  Along with former high school principal John Chalstrom, Teigland said Barkley was a team leader whose professionalism, humor and dedication to kids was an inspiration.

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In addition to his professional colleagues, Barkley was honored by students.  A video presentation featured the entire student bodies at each local school wishing their former principal the best in retirement.

CLHS student Henry Luker emotionally thanked Barkley for taking an interest in him as an elementary student.

“In third grade I was like a 40-year-old, keyboarding like a maniac,” said Luker.  “I didn’t have much of an identity until I passed through Clear Creek.”

Barkley recognized Luker’s talents and personality and encouraged him to become involved with his school.  He thought it was crazy when Barkley asked him, as an 11-year-old, to develop a website for the school, but he knew he could do it.  “He gave me a purpose and set me up for the future.  He gave me my first exposure to  social life; now I’m very much a people person.”  Their friendship continues today, traveling to basketball games together and promoting Clear Lake schools in a variety of ways.  “The attitude in this school is happy— and that came from you,” he told Barkley.

As many as eight Clear Creek staff members remember Barkley as their principal and now they admire him as a principal.

“When Mr. Barkley was my principal, he was the type of principal that you were excited to see,” said Laura Devine, now a teacher at Clear Creek.  “From him being a guest reader, to him greeting me in the hall; it was my sense of comfort and fun in the school. As a parent of a third grader now, I am truly thankful that she has been able to experience the same feelings that I had many years ago. Hearing her speak about Mr. Barkley as a principal now, has only proven that time has not “burnt him out” but only fueled more energy, positivity, and goofiness!”

“Mr. Barkley has a nickname or funny joke with every single student he serves. I still remember his nickname for me 22 years later,” said another Clear Creek staff member, Amelia Molencamp.  “He called me “Jellies” because I had a clear platform high heel pair of jelly shoes that I wore in second grade.  Those nicknames seem silly, but that special feeling he leaves in his students stay with them until adulthood.”

“Working for the school has been an amazing experience,” said Tyler Byington.  “I started in February and have been greatly impressed on the impact that Mr. Barkley has had on both the students and staff.”

In addition to the kind words, Clear Creek staff presented Barkley with a few gifts, including a framed photo of Duke Basketball Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski with a personal message: “Thanks for always leading with your heart.”

Barkley thanked his wife, Karen, children, Tyler and Katie, and the community. “What we’ve done here is because of you.”

“I’ve got some big shoes to fill,” Duesenberg told Barkley.  “The footprint you are leaving on our community and on the hearts of our kids and staff is enormous.  We wish you all the best.”

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