Her Story
About Debi
Debi Barrett-Hayes is a veteran art educator based in Tallahassee, Florida, whose career in art education now spans more than four decades. She currently serves as a Visiting Art Educator and Interim Department Chair at Maclay School, guiding K-12 students through creative exploration while the school works through a faculty hiring period. Her path has taken her through both the classroom and academia — she previously held a position as a visual arts professor and department chair at Florida State University's K-12 Charter Research School, and spent time in an administrative post at the Department of Education before choosing to return to direct classroom teaching, a decision rooted in her preference for hands-on engagement with students over administrative responsibilities. Beyond the classroom, Barrett-Hayes has built a career defined by mentorship and leadership within the art education community. She holds board positions with both the Florida Art Education Association, where she serves as Retiree Representative, National Teachers Hall of Fame Executive board representing K-12 educators. A graduate of the NAEA School for Arts Leadership program, she has dedicated much of her later career to supporting early career teachers and encouraging newcomers to enter the profession. Her academic foundation includes graduate work at Florida State University toward a Ph.D. in Art Teacher Education and a Master of Science in Fine and Studio Arts from Radford University. Her contributions to the field have earned her recognition on a national scale. She is a member of the National Teachers' Hall of Fame, a two-time Christa McAuliffe Fellow, and a former Disney Teacher of the Year for Visual Arts. Her work has been showcased through the Getty Foundation's "Arts in Action" series, the Disney Channel's "School's In" documentary, and Harvard's Project Zero Classroom Action series, and she was recently selected for a feature with Influential Women in 2026. As a published artist and dedicated grant writer, she regularly weaves community service into her art curriculum. Driven by a philosophy that art cultivates deep, independent thinking, Barrett-Hayes remains especially committed to helping students — particularly those with learning differences — recognize their unique abilities as strengths, and she intends to continue teaching for as long as she is able.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Debi
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a lifelong passion for teaching. I don't do this work to get rich — I stay committed because I'm passionately involved in it. A conversation with a friend once reminded me that I would keep teaching even if I had unlimited resources, and that has stayed with me as a measure of how much I truly love what I do.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is to never give up and to always do what you're passionate about. I love creating art with children, and I don't dread getting up early for work. That fulfillment is what has kept me hands-on and engaged in helping others, especially children, for as long as I've been able.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
As one of the first in my family to attend college, I've learned to see my early struggles as opportunities to help others rather than obstacles. I often draw parallels between art and science, since both rely on experimentation and discovery in the classroom. My advice to young women entering this field is simple: pursue what you're passionate about, and let that passion guide your path. You will never be board & it’s an adventure every single day.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in education right now is compensation and recognition — I don't believe teachers and educators are paid enough for what they do. At the same time, I see real opportunity in professional visibility and third-party recognition, such as being featured as an Influential Woman, which helps strengthen an educator's voice and open new doors. On a philosophical level, I believe art builds deep thinking, and I see it as both a challenge and an opportunity to help students, particularly those with learning differences, discover their unique perspectives and view their abilities as superpowers.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Passion is the value I hold most important, both in my work and my personal life. I love creating art with children, and that fulfillment is why I don't dread getting up early each day. After spending a year in an administrative role at the Department of Education, I chose to return to the classroom because direct engagement with students matters more to me than administrative work. Being hands-on and helping people, especially children, is what continues to drive me, and I plan to keep teaching for as long as I'm able.
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