Barnett takes next heavy involvement step at St. John Neumann as new AD
St. John Neumann Catholic School’s new athletic director is a familiar face to students, faculty and administrators.
Melissa Barnett of Farragut will be leading the school’s numerous sports programs in the coming year: volleyball, basketball, flag football, cross country, cheerleading and soccer.
She has been heavily involved volunteering at SJNCS, where her rising fifth-grader, Graham, and rising first-grader, Hayes, attend. “I can’t thank them enough for bringing me on to the admin team, for seeing my strengths and the tremendous support they have shown me,” Barnett said.
“Melissa is an experienced educator and coach, has a background in the fitness industry and has been a very enthusiastic parent,” said Stephanie Greiner, SJN director of communications. “We are excited to bring her on to help not only oversee our Mustang athletics, but also to streamline our programs, coaches and athletes and help develop the athletic program in a more competitive way.”
Barnett’s background includes a master’s degree in school administration, a decade of teaching experience in special education, coaching at a larger public high school and work in the non-profit sector.
“I loved teaching and coaching, but after being a heavy commuter for a number of years and with our growing family, I knew I needed to step back,” said Barnett, noting she and her husband, Ben Barnett, also have a 3-year-old daughter, Ellis Rome.
The Barnetts have been affiliated with SJNCS since 2020. Melissa said she began praying earlier this year about her role going forward.
“I wanted to be involved in more of what my kids do and was craving a true development role, but wasn’t sure what that might look like,” she said. “I wasn’t really actively looking when God dropped this opportunity in front of me.”
