Doris Barnes

The “Doris Barnes Retired Educator Lifetime Achievement Award” was created to honor a retired teacher or teachers who have continued to work with youth and the betterment of public education after their retirement as had the person for whom it is named. Doris was a founding member of the EDies board. Sadly, Doris passed away on April 13, 2013.

Born on a farm in Houlton, Maine, Barnes came to New Hampshire at the age of 18 as a teacher in Barnstead. Seven years later, she was a teaching principal at Alton Elementary and then moved to other opportunities in Portland, Maine, and Rochester, before becoming a guidance counselor first at Spaulding High School and then at Laconia Middle School, from which she retired at age 80.  A resident of Laconia, Barnes tutored students for 18 more years after retiring.

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A nominee must be retired after spending a minimum of 20 years as a full time educator. The majority of their teaching experience must have been in New Hampshire.  It is also expected that the nominee can describe how they have stayed involved working with youth or on other vital issues related to education since retirement.