Needham Steps Up Honors Dr. Joe Barnes With Stepping Up for Education Award

From Needham Steps Up (NSU):

Needham, MA—Needham Steps Up (NSU), a nonprofit providing mentoring to income-eligible Needham High School students, honored long-time educator Dr. Joe Barnes with the 5th annual Stepping Up For Education award at their annual fundraiser on November 2 at TripAdvisor world headquarters.

NSU recognized Dr. Barnes for his generous, personal contributions to the academic growth and social/emotional wellness of Needham’s youth. Dr. Barnes joined Pollard Middle School as principal in 1999 after serving many years as a teacher, assistant principal and principal in Hopkinton. Since retiring from Pollard in 2006, he has continued to serve the Needham community in a variety of leadership roles.

He has served as board member of the Needham Education Foundation and on the steering committee for the Needham Coalition for Suicide Prevention. From 2007 to 2015, he served as a member of the Needham School Committee, including taking the role of chairman. In 2015, Dr. Barnes came out of retirement to serve as interim principal of Needham High School. In this role, he provided students and staff with trusted experience and perspective, while helping with the transition to a permanent successor.

Needham Steps Up narrows the opportunity gap by pairing income-eligible students with a trained mentor to help them succeed at Needham High School and beyond. The program helps them access the academic support and enrichment that many of their peers take for granted. Needham Steps Up operates under the aegis of the Needham Community Council and welcomes financial support, earmarked for Needham Steps Up, from the community and businesses. For more information or to donate, visit www.NeedhamStepsUp.org.

Image via Krupp Barnes