Meet Our Team

Sarah Barnette

Director, ALA Johnston K-5

Meet Mrs. Barnette, Elementary Director at American Leadership Academy Johnston. She is thrilled to return to elementary after serving from 2022 to 2026 as Assistant Director of Academics in the Upper School. She brings a deep elementary foundation to ALA Johnston K–5, having taught preschool, kindergarten, first grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade in private, homeschool, public, and public charter settings.

Mrs. Barnette has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership. An educator with a clear focus on academic growth, she is equally committed to the culture ALA offers families: a moral, wholesome environment guided by R.A.I.S.E. values—Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Service, and Excellence—where students learn to lead and take ownership of their lives.

Originally from Gilbert, Arizona, she watched ALA serve families for years before relocating to North Carolina. Leaving her Arizona ALA community was difficult; after many years away, she has often said that home finally came to her here in the beautiful state of North Carolina.

She is passionate about education, service, and building a strong school community, and she strives to live the R.A.I.S.E. values at school and at home with her husband and four children. Together they enjoy hiking in the North Carolina pines, time at the beach, and weekly board games.