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Alexandria City High School Dean of Students Tiffany Barner dies

By James Cullum
Tiffany Barner, Alexandria City High School’s dean of students, has died (via ACHS)

Tiffany Barner, a Dean of Students at Alexandria City High School, has died.

The ACHS community was notified of Barner’s death in a note today from ACHS Interim Executive Principal Lance Harrell. No cause of death has been released, and Harrell said that counselors and mental health professionals are available to help anyone in this “heartbreaking moment.”

Barner started her career in 1997 as a math and science teacher at Independence Middle School in Virginia Beach. She then taught at Woodside High School in Newport News and Truesdell Education Campus in Washington, D.C. before getting hired as a science teacher at ACHS in 2009. She went on to become the chair of the ACHS science department, the biology course lead, and a Kagan coach.

Barner earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Hampton University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from George Mason University, according to ACHS.

Barner was made an assistant principal at the high school in 2023.

The full letter from Harrell is below.

Dear Alexandria City High School Titan Families and Staff, It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the news that our beloved Dean of Students, Ms. Tiffany Barner, has passed away. 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.

As we honor and grieve this profound loss, we know many of you may wish to honor her memory and extend support to her family. Once details of Ms. Barner’s funeral services are available, we will share them with the school community.

This is a challenging time for all of us, and we encourage students, staff and families to reach out for support as needed. Counselors and mental health professionals are available today at ACHS to assist anyone who may need a safe space to process and reflect.

In addition, virtual support circles will be available to provide support to students and staff.

We are saddened by this tragic loss to our school community and will make every effort to help our students and staff navigate this difficult and heartbreaking moment. We extend our deepest condolences to Ms. Barner’s family and loved ones, and we invite you to join us in keeping them in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.

Sincerely,

Alexandria City High School Interim Executive Principal Lance Harrell

According to Alexandria City High School’s website, Barner is among seven Deans of Students.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.