As Alexandria City High School students and faculty return to school, many have shared their thoughts on the life and legacy of Dean of Students Tiffany Barner. Barner, 51, passed away July 20, 2025. Lance Harrell, ACHS Interim Executive Principal, notified the Alexandria community of her passing through a ParentSquare note July 22.
“Ms. Barner was a deeply valued member of the Alexandria City High School (ACHS) community who touched the lives of countless students, colleagues and families with her unwavering dedication, kindness and passion for education. Her presence brought comfort, inspiration and joy to those around her, and her impact on our school will be felt for years to come,” said Harrell.
As a daughter, friend, mother and wife, Barner enjoyed the support and care of personal friends and family. As a teacher, assistant principal and dean, Barner influenced thousands of students through her endless support and leadership.
“Ms. Barner’s face stood out among a sea of students and staff,” said James Libresco, ‘24. “Her infectious smile and overwhelming sense of joy radiated through the halls, spreading to even the most closed-off students. I especially appreciated her patience to approach each challenge with an open mind — an example of why she was so beloved in our building.”
Barner, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Hampton University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership at George Mason University, began teaching 27 years ago. She started her career in Newport News, Virginia as a math and science teacher at Woodside High School. She also taught science at Independence Middle School in Virginia Beach, and at both Truesdell Elementary School and Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C. before being hired as a science teacher at ACHS in 2009.
In the 16 years she spent at ACHS, Barner was an active and positive presence in the community. During her time as a teacher, she was chair of the ACHS science department, the biology course lead and a coach for Kagan cooperative learning. She was promoted to assistant principal in 2023, and Dean of Students in 2024. Barner’s dedication to her job reflected her dedication to the students she mentored. When Kagan cooperative learning was introduced to ACHS in 2019, Barner told Theogony that she liked how it “builds the classroom community so that students feel comfortable sharing and participating in class.”
When notified of her passing, the Alexandria community displayed immense amounts of support. A memorial post uploaded by the Titan School Store Instagram account July 21 accumulated thousands of likes and comments from former and current Titans. On Facebook, many fondly recalled her legacy and impact among different groups.
Tiffany Barner understood what it means to be a Titan. Over several decades of teaching, she has acted as a friend and mentor to many.
When interviewed by Theogony in 2023, Barner emphasized her love for the Alexandria community: “What I love about ACHS is the diversity and different backgrounds that people have, that I get to learn about.
