Mrs. Barnum’s educational journey began with a desire to teach kindergarten and then advanced through the grade levels as her own children grew. She received her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from Texas Tech University, majoring in Home and Family Life with an emphasis in Child Development. She also received her Texas Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education with a Kindergarten endorsement. Five years later, she completed her Masters of Education from Texas Tech with a major in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Multicultural Education. Mrs. Barnum has also received her A.C.S.I. Professional Certification and has taken Biblical Studies courses at Dallas Christian College. With thirty plus years of teaching experience, she hopes her own life will be an example to her students as they venture on in their own journeys of lifelong learning.

Mrs. Barnum believes that life is a journey filled with learning all along the way. This summer, as in previous summers, she has continued studying, attending advanced training sessions, and preparing for the four courses she will be teaching during the 2010-2011 school year.

High School students take Technology Applications as a graduation requirement.  Mrs. Barnum teaches the semester long Technology Applications Part B during the regular school year and also during the summer. (Mrs. Rogers teaches Technology Applications Part A during the opposite semester or summer school session.)  Tech App Part B focuses on design and composition elements using Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop software. Students apply many of the techniques in designing graphic projects to include personal logos and magazine covers about themselves.

Also in the technology field, Mrs. Barnum will be teaching the newly restructured class, Communication Design and Photography.  Formerly called “Digital Imaging and Publications”, the reworked class will expand its base to include a strong emphasis on photography and composition. These students will still design and produce the new Athletic Media Guide, programs for sporting events, drama productions, special event school t-shirt designs, and other school related publications.

Mrs. Barnum will continue for the sixth year as the yearbook advisor, working with her students to incorporate the skills taught in the two previous courses to produce the POPCS yearbook.  Over the past five years, her staff’s productions have been recognized with state and national awards, earning First in State this past school year.

Mrs. Barnum is returning as the teacher of the Career and College Preparation class. Building off of her years of experience working in a major university admissions/freshman orientation office, owning her own business, and from being married to a professional human resource manager, Mrs. Barnum helps her students prepare for their futures. Her students explore career options, investigate their educational options, research scholarship opportunities, and prepare to move out into the world of independent living after graduation. The Career and College Preparation class has direct application to each student’s journey into their future.

Always involved in the school she loves, Mrs. Barnum also serves as the Junior Class Advisor. When she is not involved in school activities, she enjoys spending time with her husband Jim, being involved in her church, First United Methodist of Carrollton, and playing with her dogs. Megan, her daughter, is a graduate of POPCS’ first graduating class. Her son, Trevor, lives in Lubbock.

Contact Information:

Phone: 972-447-0532 ext. 329
E-mail: elaine.barnum@princeofpeace.org