New assistant superintendent excited to begin school year, get established in community
As Watertown youth head back to school, they will see a new face in the administration office. Assistant Superintendent Derrick Barrios joined the Watertown School District on July 1.
His love for sports drove Barrios' early career. After graduating from Dakota State University, Barrios coached the junior high girls' basketball team and taught science in Kimball, before moving to Arlington, where he continued to coach and teach science for four years.
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During his time at Arlington, Barrios obtained his master's degree in school administration from South Dakota State University. After receiving his degree, Barrios worked as a 7-12 grade principal in Custer, and decided he would pursue a specialist's degree to become a superintendent.
"As a principal, I found that I had to qualities to lead a school district," said Barrios. "It has been a career move to get the experiences I needed to be at a school district that would be a good fit for my family. We were at many great school districts across South Dakota and are now ready for the challenge that Watertown will bring."
His first role as a superintendent was at the Faulkton Area School District. Barrios also served as the principal at the elementary and local Hutterite colony school.
He spent another four years as the Elk Point-Jefferson School District superintendent before Barrios took the assistant superintendent position in Watertown after Darrell Stacey retired from the role.
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"It was a great opportunity for my family to return to the area," said Barrios. "My wife is from Arlington, and my parents live in Watertown. It was an opportunity to get my kids closer to family and their grandparents."
Barrios and his wife Amanda have two children entering the Watertown School District, Addilyn, 11, and Kroy, 7. Barrios stated that his children have already started to make friends in the area and are excited for the new school year.
Dad plays a key leadership role for Barrios
His father's guidance helped instill a sense of leadership and service in Barrios.
"It has a lot to do with watching my dad in leadership positions as a college football coach," he said. "My whole career has given me different opportunities to put myself in leadership positions for school districts. I have the leadership capacity to offer much for this school district."
Now that his family is settled, Barrios is ready to begin his first year of school in Watertown. This will be the biggest school he has ever worked for, and there is much to learn about the culture and way things work in a district of this size.
"My main focus is learning as much as possible about the district this first year. But more than anything, I very much am looking forward to establishing our family into the Watertown community and the school district for years to come," said Barrios. "It's been quite an adventure with my family. I am thankful for the support my wife has made throughout my career. We have found a great school district in Watertown and look forward to raising our family in such a great community."
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Path to school leadership lands Barrios and family in Watertown
