Written by Charles Noyes
Photos by Kelly Z Photography

Sponsored by Valley Home Improvement

Published in Northampton Living (October 2021)

Though Lauren-Lee Barry has found education to be a natural fit, it wasn’t originally where she thought she would end up. She initially started in health science, but when her son Michael started school, life gave her a new direction. After spending her last 5 years working in the Northampton public school system, in 2020 she decided to move closer to where she dedicated so much of her time.

While Lauren grew up in the Berkshires, the Valley has always felt like home. A hardworking mother of 2, life has never been easy for her, but her determination and tenacity has kept her going. That, and her community, which she works diligently to give back to. She now finds herself as the Family Student Engagement and English Learner Education (ELE) Coordinator for Northampton Public Schools; she’s the bridge between multilingual families and the public school system.

During her typical day, she collaborates closely with educators and families to build meaningful relationships that ensure they can trust that the public school system is working for them. Her work for the schools touches on everything from curriculum to parents’ rights to engaging families with school and how it relates to their children. “I find a lot of purpose in supporting educators and ensuring they have what they need to teach kids of all backgrounds,” she said.

Lauren’s calling to ELE and the education system started right after she graduated high school. “Shortly after graduating I found out I was going to have my son,” she began. “I had a lot of options to choose from on where to go from there, but ultimately I decided to try community college.” Not knowing exactly what she wanted to do, she began in health science, but quickly decided she wanted to pursue a different goal. “I saw some of the experiences my son went through in the public school system, some of the injustices and the discrepancies inherent to many systems we rely on, and so motherhood ended up being the thing that pushed me into teaching.”

While attending Elms College, Lauren taught everything from preschool to 11th grade chemistry. “I hadn’t yet found my niche, but I learned so much from trying all these different positions. What really drew me to ELE was my experience at Springfield Central High School.” Her experience there taught her where help was needed and after going back to school and finishing her Master’s Degree, she received an opportunity to work for the Northampton public school system and she’s been happy there ever since. Adding to that happiness is the feeling that Lauren has come full-circle. “It’s been a wild journey getting here from being a teen mom,” she said. “The community practically raised me. They supported me with what I needed as a single mother trying to complete college. Their involvement has been invaluable and the reason why I have a career today. I feel like my position in the schools relates to my personal experience and I am passionate about the people I help.”

The fact that she’s been able to work in Northampton has only added to this feeling of completeness. “Back when I was young, I saw Northampton as a quirky, fun, upcoming place. Now I really appreciate how inclusive this area is and how much people rally for social justice and equity. I’ve found value in the connections not only between the educators and the families, but with the community here as well. It’s so important to know personally who you’re working for and with.”

One thing that made her job even more necessary and changed how her work looked was the pandemic. The switch to remote learning was difficult for many schools, but Lauren’s diligent attention to personal, authentic relationships proved to be a huge difference- maker. “Whether it was working with social workers to support getting families the technology needed for remote learning or using different methods of communication like text messaging to connect with families and being more comfortable with that,” she started, “there was a lot more reaching out and strengthening those relationships with them because of the switch to remote learning.”

But the challenges of the pandemic are far from over and Lauren’s work is cut out for her with another difficult winter on the horizon. Until then, she’s going to enjoy her life with her 2 children, Michael and Vivian. “Michael is 14 and he’s absolutely amazing. He’s made me grow up in so many ways. I was 18 when I found out I was having him and he’s been part of the reason why I always feel like I can push myself both personally and professionally. He’s so smart and self-motivated. He’s kind and gentle and he’s been such a great big brother.”

For fun, they love getting ice cream in Hadley, taking to the bike path, and exploring some of the Valley’s most pristine swimming spots. They stay active at the beach and they all love being around people. Lauren was nervous about the 8-year age gap between Michael and Vivian, but it turned out she had nothing to worry about. “It’s been such an honor to be their mother and watch them grow up together. Vivian is a vivacious little girl who loves dancing, singing, and her big brother.”

Lauren also thought it was very important that they both be brought through the Northampton public school system where she works. Lauren sees her job as more than just an administrator. “I’m helping to communicate with families in a way that validates who they are,” she said.

“Families look so different from one another, so ensuring that all their voices are heard is so important. I help open those communication pathways.”