Wednesday, March 8, 2023 – Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Dicky Barlow delivered his 2023 State of Alabama Superintendent of the Year Speech at the School Superintendents of Alabama’s (SSA) Spring Legislative Conference in Montgomery.

Barlow received the recognition in October and had the chance to represent Alabama on stage at the National School Superintendents Association in San Antonio during the month of February. His speech on Tuesday, delivered to a crowd of Superintendents from across the state, allowed him to express his appreciation for his family, colleagues, all Mountain Brook Schools faculty and staff, fellow Superintendents, state administrators and many others.

“I’m only Superintendent of the Year because I have great people around me,” Barlow said. He shared an anecdote with the crowd about an interview he had with a Mountain Brook High School student shortly after receiving the award. He told the audience that he was asked ‘what makes a good Superintendent?’ Caught off guard, Barlow responded with four aspects of leadership he believes can be applied to his position:

• Know your community

• Have a vision for what you want to accomplish

• Have great people around you

• Have humility

Barlow was joined in Montgomery by his wife, Betsy, and the following Mountain Brook Schools employees:

• Shannon Marks (MBHS Teacher)

• Solai Meyyappan (CBS Aide)

• Virgil Perkins (MBJH Custodian)

• Nathan Pitner (BWF Principal)

• Donald Clayton (MBJH Principal)

• Cyndi Griffin (Administrative Assistant)

• Amanda Hood (Director of Student Services)

• William Galloway (Communications/PR Specialist)

• Nicky Barnes (Board Member)

• Jeffrey Brewer (Board President)