Barry Schartz grew up on a dairy farm near Ellinwood, Kansas. The rural landscape inspired his lifelong appreciation of nature, and the summer night sky would forever fuel his childhood imagination of traveling in space.

Barry earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Kansas State University and his Master of Science in Biology from Emporia State University. He believes he stumbled into teaching, but he credits the Goddard community and its emphasis on education that brought him to Goddard in 1983 as a science teacher. In his 22 year career at Goddard, Barry taught all areas of science inspiring thousands of students in the classroom and providing year-round extra-curricular opportunities. With his leadership, a nationally recognized Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site (OWLS) was created at Goddard High School to provide a community educational center for ecology and wildlife.

Space remains a life-long interest for Barry. A defining moment in his life would be the NASA Teacher in Space Project. In 1985, this Kansas finalist would learn he was “Number 11” in the line of succession to train as an astronaut and fly on the space shuttle Challenger. After the devastating Challenger disaster, Barry continued as a “Space Ambassador” embracing a teachable moment to encourage students to embrace space exploration.

Mr. Schartz’s commitment to excellence in Science education put Goddard on the map for its national and international award winning teams in Science Olympiad, Kansas BEST Robotics and International Space Settlement Design. For his excellence in education Barry has received numerous awards including:

Kansas Master Teacher- 1983

Kansas Outstanding Biology Teacher- 1984

Kansas Teacher in Space Finalist- 1985

National Tandy Technology Scholar- 1991

Kansas Engineering Society High School Outstanding Teacher- 1995

Wall of Fame-Kappa Sigma- 2011

Hall Of Fame Class of 2021

Goddard Public Schools

Hall Of Fame Class Of 2021

Dr. Amanda Harter, Goddard High School Graduate Class of 2003

Barry Schartz, Retired Goddard Educator and Department Chair

David Ray, Goddard High School Graduate Class of 1981

Jim Lester, Retired Goddard Educator and “Voice” of Goddard Sports

Lazaro San Martin, Goddard Educator, Coach, and Goddard District Student Services Director, 1969-2010

Melissa Thompson (Oatman), Goddard High School Class of 1980