Spencer-Barnes enjoying KCTCS Leadership Academy

Amanda Spencer Barnes is a community college success story. She holds two associate degrees from HCTC and says, Without HCTC, I would not be where I am today. Several years later and after earning several other, higher degrees, Mrs. Barnes was selected as a member of the McCall Leadership Academy with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. Amanda Spencer-Barnes is enjoying being part of this prestigious group.

Being part of this Academy has been a very transformative experience so far. It is a remarkable experience to be able to study with and learn from some of the best leaders across the country as well as to be able to study with and learn from colleagues across KCTCS who share the same vision of leadership, noted Amanda.

Mrs. Spencer-Barnes wants to broaden her knowledge of the study of leadership, increase her confidence as a leader, have a more positive impact on the lives of her students and those around her, and build relationships that will have a lasting impact on both the personal and professional aspects of her life.

Her career goals include moving up within HCTC and becoming a better leader within the community, the college, and KCTCS. She also plans to obtain a Doctorate in Education/Leadership.

I consider myself a lifelong learner. I think, for the most part, I am looking forward to the chance to study leadership and communication within the community college setting with some of the best leaders across the country. However, I am also looking forward to the relationship-building/networking opportunities that this Academy will provide. I look forward to learning things that I can pass on to those around me so that I may have a positive impact on the lives of others.

She started as a student at HCTC in fall 2000, and she started working as a tutor at Lees College Campus of HCTC in spring 2001. Through perseverance, I progressed. I moved into the position of Instructional Specialist, as full-time temporary in October of 2003. In September 2005, after earning my bachelor s degree, I was hired full time as Instructional Specialist. From there, I worked on a master s degree in Adult and Higher Education, wishing to fulfill my goal of teaching mathematics at the college level. She taught some math classes for HCTC, part-time, until 2008 when a full-time math position became available. In July 2009, she was hired as a full-time math instructor. There were challenges along the way and there were times when I thought it would have been easier just to give up. Many individuals in my family and my college family kept inspiring me to keep going. So for anyone who ever thinks about giving up, just know you can do it and you are worth it! So far, this journey has taught me many things, but most significantly, it has taught me that you just have to be persistent in the goals/dreams that you seek and be willing to put forth the hard work and dedication it takes to get there. Things may not always work out as planned, but choosing to have the right attitude to keep moving forward, to find another way, even after getting knocked down, makes all the difference.

Her can do attitude is just one of the reasons she was chosen in 2007 as the HCTC/KCTCS New Horizons Staff Award recipient when she held the title of Instructional Specialist.

Mrs. Spencer-Barnes lives in Beattyville, with her husband, Don Barnes, who is also a math faculty member at HCTC. Congratulations to Amanda for her selection into the KCTCS McCall Leadership Academy.