July 5, 2017

Ogdensburg - Madonna Barney, a PreK teacher at Saint Agnes School in Lake Placid, has been named the 2017 Outstanding Catholic School Teacher for the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

She was honored June 26 during a luncheon hosted by Bishop Terry LaValley at the Bishop’s residence.
Mrs. Barney has extensive experience in the education and formation of pre-school age children.  Prior to beginning her careen in Catholic Schools, she taught for 18 years in the Head Start Program. Following her work at Head Start Mrs Barney taught at St. Bernard’s School in Saranac Lake for five years. She has been a member of the faculty at Saint Agnes School since 2009.

In the application to teach at St. Bernard’s Mrs. Barney noted her desire “to teach religious values and beliefs as part of the daily curriculum.” Her dedication to these values and beliefs continues at St. Agnes.
In nominating Mrs. Barney, Catherine Beemis, principal at St. Agnes, said, “Madonna dedicates herself fully every day to providing excellence in the classroom. Madonna’s classroom is a lively and exciting place to be and she is able to balance the social, emotional needs of our youngest students hand in hand with the learning standards eastly. She is able to weave the love of God into her daily teaching and elicits joy from every student.”

Mrs. Barney’s influence at St. Agnes extends beyond her classroom. She is a mentor to new teachers and a team player who contributes significantly to the total school program and environment.

Mrs. Barney’s experience in Catholic schools extends back to her early education when she attended and graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Malone.  She continued her education at Trocaire College in Buffalo earning a degree in Education.

She was joined at the June 26 luncheon by Mrs. Beemis; Father John Yonkovig, pastor of St. Agnes; St. Joseph Sister Ellen Rose Coughlin, superintendent of schools; Karen Donahue, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction; and Pamela Ballantine, assistant director of Catholic education for Christian formation and Catholic schools. 

Photo by Christine Ward
Madonna Barney, a PreK teacher at Saint Agnes School in Lake Placid, has been named the 2017 Outstanding Catholic School Teacher for the Diocese of Ogdensburg. She was honored June 26 during a luncheon hosted by Bishop Terry R. LaValley at the bishop’s residence in Ogdensburg. Joining Mrs. Barney and the bishop were, from left, Catherine Bemis, principal of St. Agnes; St. Joseph Sister Ellen Rose Coughlin, diocesan superintendent of schools; Father John Yonkovig, pastor of St. Agnes Parish who shares duties as principal of St. Agnes School;  Karen Donahue, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction; and Pamela Ballantine, assistant director of Catholic education for Christian formation and Catholic schools.