Her contributions have left an indelible mark on educational practices and continue to inspire future generations of educators.
MESA, AZ, July 24, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — Marquis Who’s Who, the world’s premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Mary Ann Barden with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Mrs. Barden celebrates many years’ experience in her professional network and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Dr. Barden has had a distinguished career in education, marked by her dedication to advancing learning opportunities for students across various settings. Now retired, she concluded her career teaching career and technical education alongside her daughter at a downtown Phoenix high school as well as serving as an adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University until 2012.
A career in education that spanned 40 years, Dr. Barden’s foundational experience included her roles as a teacher and coordinator at Broome County Catholic Schools in Binghamton, New York, from 1972 to 1979. During this time, she gained experience coordinating the mathematics curriculum with the public school district and serving as an assistant principal as needed.
Dr. Barden’s expertise led her to become the Chapter 1 mathematics coordinator at Wake County’s Crosby School in Raleigh, North Carolina, from 1980 to 1982. During this time, she became active in the North Carolina Teachers of Mathematics, working to develop connections between mathematics and careers and creating activities for schools to use when hosting mathematics nights for elementary school families. She moved to teaching mathematics and computer science at Daniels Middle School, also from 1983 to 1985. She also served as an adjunct professor of mathematics at North Carolina Central University during the summer of 1983, leveraging her expertise to teach college students. Dr. Barden’s career with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction began in 1988 as the lead consultant for distance learning media and technology services, a role she held until 1992. Continually advancing, her commitment to educational technology led her to become the technology services coordinator for media and technology services from 1992 to 1994.
Pivoting into consulting at the high school level, Dr. Barden spent over five years in that capacity until 2000. Shortly thereafter, she held positions such as supervisor of educational technology and grant writing from 2002 to 2004 and was the dean of students at an alternative high school for the Phoenix Union High School District between 2004 and 2005. Dr. Barden also maintained a special assignment for the Phoenix schools from 2005 to 2013 within the business department.
In addition to her work in the education sector, Dr. Barden briefly served the corporate sector as a customer service representative in the sales and marketing division at FMC Corp. in Broomfield, Colorado. She also excelled as an administrative assistant at Master Home Builders in Raleigh before returning to the classroom.
Dr. Barden’s academic pursuits include a Bachelor of Science in education from the State University of New York at Oneonta in 1972, and continued with a Master of Science in education from Binghamton University in 1976 and a Master of Science in administration and supervision from North Carolina Central University in 1982. Her education culminated in a Doctor of Education, solidifying her expertise and influence in educational administration. This advanced degree earned Dr. Barden recognition when she was awarded the State Employee Association Scholarship for her doctoral studies in 1999. Aside from her degrees, she holds a license as a public manager.
Active in her professional community, Dr. Barden’s leadership has extended to her former roles on the board of directors for the North Carolina Society of Certified Public Managers and as former vice president of the eastern region of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. In addition to these roles, she has been actively involved with civic organizations, including serving on the board of directors for the Daniels School Parent-Teacher Association and volunteering at the North Carolina Public Television Studio.
During the early 1990s, Dr. Barden co-authored “Computer Literacy Activity.” Her accomplishments have also included developing satellite instruction for small schools through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
In recognition of her success, Dr. Barden received a Service Award for her contributions during her tenure at Daniels School. In 1994 she was recognized with the Teaching Excellence Award by the Wake County Educational Foundation. Her work at the Department of Public Instruction also earned her recognition from the governor and superintendent for being a chartered member of the School Improvement Channel from 1995 to 1998.
Throughout her career, Dr. Barden has been guided by mentors, colleagues, and supportive parents who taught her the value of nurturing young minds. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on educational practices and continue to inspire future generations of educators.
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
# # #
