Margaret Barnes was appointed executive principal in Region 2 in July 2023, after serving as principal at Holmes Middle School.

Barnes has more than over 20 years of experience with FCPS. She brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership in a diverse school setting.

Barnes has a passion for developing a caring, respectful, and inclusive school culture. While at Hughes Middle School, she was featured by FCPS for her work in leading Restorative Circles and collaborated with staff across the South Lakes Pyramid to improve math instruction. At Key Middle School, she led the implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and co-chaired the Lewis Pyramid Resource Fair.

Barnes is passionate about schools being welcoming, culturally responsive environments for students, families, and staff and about providing equitable access to academic rigor for all students. 

As the current president of the Fairfax County Public Schools Middle School Principals Association, Barnes advocated for the needs of schools and worked to partner with Division leadership to address these needs. Barnes’ work as a pyramid leader helped align and support principals toward a common vision for instructional excellence and leadership development. 

 Barnes holds a bachelor's in Spanish K-12 from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She has a master's in secondary Spanish from the University of Virginia.  She obtained her administrative certification through the Lead Fairfax Accelerated Certification Cohort in 2010.