Alumni Who Live By The Code: Adrian Barnes
At Falling Creek, the FCC Code shapes our daily actions, as we strive to consistently live with Warrior Spirit, Servant’s Heart, Positive Attitude, and Moral Compass. The Code is a set of enduring traditional values that provides the framework for everything at camp, but its importance goes far beyond the summer months. In this continuing blog series, we’ll highlight some of the amazing Falling Creek alumni who continue to “Live by the Code,” modeling these values in their daily lives.
Today’s spotlight is on Adrian Barnes!
Adrian Barnes is the Dean of Students and Associate Director of Admissions at Kent Denver School in Englewood, Colorado. Adrian has a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and is also pursuing his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Denver.
From 2013 to 2017, Adrian was influential at camp in a variety of roles. He served on horseback, football, and basketball staff, and was the mentor for our CIT (now Men of STEEL) Program. Since his time at Falling Creek, Adrian has continued to live by the Code and support the youth in his community through his work as an educator, coach, diversity advocate, and mentor.
How Did His Falling Creek Journey Start?
Adrian’s introduction to Falling Creek was over a decade ago when he was an undergraduate student at Georgia Southern University in 2013. “I found out about Falling Creek through a hiring fair at Georgia Southern,” Adrian remembers. “I thought I was going to be graduating that year and honestly thought the camp job was a full time gig. When I realized that it wasn’t and I wasn’t graduating, I felt it was a great opportunity to get away for the summer and make some money.”
Lucky for us, Adrian joined the 2013 summer staff team that year to teach horseback riding. He ended up returning each summer for the next 5 years. “I had a very interesting path after camp,” said Adrian. “I started working at a small private school in Pensacola, Florida and went back to camp in the summer. I then got a teaching job in Tampa, Florida, started on my Masters Degree from the University of Tampa in Education, and stayed in Tampa for a few years.”
Life Since Camp
From 2016 to 2019, Adrian was a middle school teacher at Corbett Preparatory School of IDS in Tampa. He taught courses in social studies including history, geography, American Government, and political sciences. However, in 2019 a new opportunity arose.
“I was approached by Kent Denver School to be their middle school Dean of Students and moved to Denver, Colorado,” said Adrian. “I never thought I would be here, but I love it. I am now the high school Dean of Students and Associate Director of Admissions at Kent Denver, and pursuing my Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Denver.”
Kent Denver is “an independent, coeducational college-preparatory school serving middle and high school students in grades 6-12.” The school is south of Denver, Colorado, on a 200-acre campus in Englewood. Their mission is “transforming lives of students and community through extraordinary educational experiences.” Founded in 1922, the school has a rich 100+ year history.
A Typical Day As A High School Dean
As you can imagine, being the Dean of Students is a demanding job where no two days are the same. “The most challenging part of my work as a Dean is balancing all the responsibilities that come with supporting both students and staff,” said Adrian. “On any given day, I might be dealing with behavior issues, planning class events, running advisory lessons, or handling parent concerns. Every situation requires a different approach—sometimes I have to be the enforcer and hold students accountable, and other times I need to provide empathy and a listening ear. It’s a constant challenge to maintain high expectations without pushing students away. With 144 students to oversee, making sure each of them feels seen, heard, and supported is tough, especially since some are harder to reach and hesitant to open up.”
Adrian isn’t just working with his students though, he’s also focused on supporting his fellow educators at Kent Denver. “Another big challenge is leading and empowering my advisors,” he said. “I want them to feel supported and valued, but also to take ownership of their role in helping our students grow. It’s a balancing act—giving them the guidance they need without micromanaging.”
Challenges and Rewards of the Job
High school is a stage of life marked by rapid personal growth and transition, which can make working with students an ever-changing challenge. However, Adrian uses his communication skills and experience working with youth to meet students where they are, and finds the process rewarding. “I’m constantly navigating the social dynamics within the class,” he said. “This is the age where students are really figuring out who they are, which brings a lot of drama—friendship conflicts, cliques, and exclusion. Helping them develop emotional intelligence, empathy, and maturity takes a lot of patience. Despite all of these challenges, the work is rewarding because I get to see the growth—students learning, becoming more confident, and slowly figuring out how to elevate themselves. That’s what keeps me going.”
For Adrian, the kids are the most rewarding part. “Falling Creek showed me my passions for students,” he said. “I loved running around and being crazy active with the kids there and I brought that passion to my career. I have been in education now for over 10 years and I love working with my students, seeing them grow, learn and find their passions. Being a mentor to them and helping them navigate the world in which we live. They are easily the best part about being a Dean.”
A Lifelong Learner
Perhaps one reason Adrian can relate to his students so well is because he’s a lifelong learner himself. He is continuing his higher education journey with a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Denver.
Despite his passion for education, he didn’t always see himself targeting this path. “I never thought I would be pursuing it,” Adrian said, when asked what made him decide to work towards a doctoral degree. “I think it was during a conversation I was having with a mentor of mine. I joked that I would be Dr. Barnes one day and he told me to go for it. I thought about it and went after it. I kept wanting to learn more about public education and public policy and how it impacts the independent school world. I always asked a lot of questions and I finally said to myself, just go learn about it. And I’m here.”
Camp Community & Connections
Did Adrian’s time at Falling Creek impact his life today? “Absolutely,” he said. “I would say it impacted my decision to go into education. I was lucky enough to work with Falling Creek when I was making real world decisions about my future.”
As a young man thinking about what kind of career he wanted, Adrian was able to talk to people at camp to get advice and professional connections. “I would say one of the most impactful people that I had a conversation with was Frank Tindall,” said Adrian. “I remember chatting with Frank about possibly going into education, and he told me about the Lovett School [in Atlanta], and how his nephews went there.”
“I’m not sure if Frank made a call or not,” laughed Adrian, “but I got a job at Lovett working with their ASAP program and eventually their summer programs. That lit a light under me when it came to my career. Working at Lovett introduced me to a lot of other people who told me that I would do great in education and that I should try it out. From there, I got the job in Pensacola, then Tampa and now in Denver. I would say Falling Creek is one of the main reasons that I am the educator I am today.”
Life Skills From Camp
Though his time at camp was almost a decade ago, Adrian says he still uses skills that he learned at Falling Creek in his daily life. The idea of community rooted in the culture of camp is something that has stuck with him. “As a Dean, we are the ones who create the retreats, the class meetings, our advisory lessons and all,” said Adrian. “I think about the cabin overnights we took, I think about the games we played on Sundays, and the traditions that kept us grounded in the community. I think it goes back to this idea of community. I bring this to my students and the school everyday. I base the community-building activities we do at my school from things I learned at Falling Creek.”
Adrian said, “A lot of my advisory lessons relate to the FCC Code when focusing on building our students and building community. The family-style meals I bring to my retreats as well. Even when we are planning Spring Flings and outside things like that, I refer to my knowledge of fun that I got from Falling Creek.”
Advice for Future Educators
Adrian has a wealth of advice for young men who want to pursue a career in education themselves. In fact, he recently wrote a paper on that very topic, sharing what he’s learned from his own experience. He outlined the key points from his paper below:
- Find Your Purpose and Passion: Education isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. You have to know why you’re here. For me, it’s about elevating students, breaking down systemic barriers, and ensuring that our students feel seen, supported, and empowered. Discover what motivates you, whether it’s mentorship, leadership, or advocating for change.
- Understand Your Impact: You will be both a role model and a mentor. Representation matters more than you realize, especially for students who rarely see someone who looks like them in positions of authority and influence. Just your presence can inspire students to dream bigger and believe in their potential.
- Be Ready for Challenges: There are days when you’ll feel disrespected, frustrated, or like you’re fighting an uphill battle—whether it’s student behavior, systemic inequities, or even your own doubts. But every challenge is an opportunity to lead with kindness and respect while holding others accountable. Keep showing up for your students.
- Invest in Personal Growth: You’re not just teaching students to grow; you’re growing too. Seek mentors and professional development. I’ve had to learn statistical concepts, policy frameworks, and leadership strategies—all things I didn’t think I’d need when I started. Push yourself to stay curious and adaptable.
- Build Strong Relationships: Community is everything. Whether you’re working with parents, advisors, or colleagues, the strength of those partnerships can make or break your success in education. Learn to listen, communicate effectively, and balance empathy with authority. Relationships are also what will sustain you through tough times.
- Create Spaces Where Students Can Thrive: Education should go beyond academics. It’s about shaping identity, creating safety, and fostering a sense of belonging. I strive to teach students that there’s no one way to be themselves—whether it’s Black, Brown, or simply human. Your classroom, your office, your school should be a space for students to discover who they are.
- Advocate for Change: The education system has many flaws, particularly for marginalized students. You have to navigate the system while also finding ways to improve it. I focus on addressing issues like student behavior, inclusion, identity, and mentorship through policy and practice, but it starts with small, consistent actions.
- Remember Why You Started: When things get tough, it’s easy to forget why you got into this field. I remind myself that I’m here to elevate my students and make sure they leave better than when they came. Keep your “why” at the center of your work—it’ll guide you through every obstacle. If you’re considering education, know that it’s one of the most challenging and rewarding paths you can choose. You’ll have the chance to change lives, but you’ll also grow in ways you never expected. Keep learning, keep pushing, and remember—you have the power to create the future you want to see.
Do you know a member of the Falling Creek community who “Lives by the Code”? Nominate them so we can feature their stories and advice! Email with your suggestions.