Principals
Dr. Erin Thurston - Principal
Dr. Erin Thurston has been the assistant principal at Barnwell since 2019 and has been named Principal for the 2024/2025 school year. Since becoming assistant principal, she always looks forward to meeting our new students and building lasting relationships so that she can support them in every way possible. She also embraces the opportunity to partner with families to provide our students with a rigorous, engaging and memorable middle school experience.
Prior to coming to Barnwell, she served the district as the secondary English language arts and social studies content leader for six years where she worked with teachers to develop and implement curriculum. Prior to that, she taught high school English at Francis Howell Central High School for eight years. During that time, she earned my Master of Arts degree in Education Administration at Lindenwood University and her Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Maryville University.
On a personal note, Dr. Thurston has two children who attend schools within the district as she resides in the FHSD community. She takes pride in treating all students the way she would treat her own children and works hard every day to make Barnwell a home away from home for our students. To that end, she is always available for a phone call, email or stop in to discuss any concerns, suggestions or ideas to help make this year the best year yet!
Dr. Thurston is proud to be a Bulldog and loves to get to work with these students every day.
Derek Lay - Assistant Principal
Mr. Lay has been an assistant principal at Barnwell since 2006. Prior to coming to Barnwell, he served the district as a Speech and Drama Teacher at Saeger and Bryan Middle Schools. Before teaching in Francis Howell, Mr. Lay was a High School English, Speech, Drama and Debate teacher at Oak Grove High School. In addition to teaching, he directed high school and middle school theatre productions, coached high school speech and debate and sponsored numerous student activities. Mr. Lay holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts Education, Master’s Degree in Educational Administration as well as an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Administration.
Mr. Lay attended schools in Francis Howell from Kindergarten through high school graduation, including as a middle school student at Barnwell. Attending school at Barnwell and joining the leadership team years later has given him a unique perspective on creating a student centered environment that focuses on student belonging, well-being and academic excellence. As a special education administrator for the building, a passion of his is to ensure that all students have equal access to curriculum, extracurricular activities and supports necessary to succeed in all settings.
Mr. Lay and his wife have two daughters. Their oldest is a student at Francis Howell Central, and youngest is a student at Zion Lutheran School. Outside of school, he follows his daughter’s athletic events, Notre Dame Football, St. Louis sports teams and is occasionally involved in directing and acting in community theatre events. If he’s not doing that, he’s probably outside biking, cooking something on his smoker or thinking about the next thing he wants to cook on his smoker.
Shania Robinson - Assistant Principal
Mrs. Shania Robinson is overjoyed to support students, staff and families at Barnwell Middle School. Mrs. Robinson is devoted to student success and aiding students in looking towards an unlimited future. Since 2021, Mrs. Robinson considers herself to be a servant leader. As a servant leader, collaboration and working towards change are some of the key components in her role.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has."-Margaret Mead
As a change agent, Mrs. Robinson will be serving as assistant principal at Barnwell Middle School. Prior to joining the Francis Howell School District, Mrs. Robinson served on the administration team in the Hazelwood School District. She also taught in Gracias, Honduras in Central America and the Ferguson-Florissant School district.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Mahatma Gandhi
While serving in Honduras, Mrs. Robinson taught 7th grade math and 12th grade business math. Mrs. Robinson also served as the Program Director of their Hospitality and Tourism program for 10th-12th grade students. During Mrs. Robinson's time in the Ferguson Florissant School District, she served as an educator at McCluer North High School teaching business education. Mrs. Robinson was then placed at Innovation High School at Cool Valley utilizing the Big Picture Learning model with a focus in Project Based Learning in science, social studies and ELA. Mrs. Robinson earned a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Central Missouri and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." - Harriet Tubman