Dr. Barry Preston

College Readiness & Success

• Strategies for College Success

• Habits for a Balanced Life in College and Beyond

• Using Strengths for Success and Wellbeing

Writing 

• College Application Essays

• Argument, Rhetorical Analysis and Synthesis Essay Writing for AP Language and Composition

• Poetry Analysis, Prose Analysis, and Literary Argument Essay Writing for AP Literature and Composition

• Research Papers

English

• Tutoring High School Language Arts Curriculum

• Writing Instruction and general Test Prep

• STAAR Test Prep for 9th and 10th graders

Teaching Experience: 

• Certified Teacher in Secondary English Language Arts

• 20 years experience teaching at Highland Park High School

• 25 years as a classroom teacher in Texas and Tennessee

• Taught High School Pre-Advanced Placement, Talented & Gifted, and standard-level Language Arts curriculum

• Expertise in teaching essay writing and literary analysis for all levels of English

• Experience teaching in public schools and private schools at both the secondary and collegiate levels

Professional Coaching Experience: 

• Certified Professional Coach (Master Level)

• International Coaching Federation Member

• Specialized training in Character Strengths Coaching and Acceptance and Commitment Coaching

Selected Honors/Recognition: 

• Park Cities Talented and Gifted HPISD “TAG” Teacher of the Year, 2024

• HPISD Professional Achievement Award, 2000-2010, 2021 

• HPHS Teacher of the Year, 2005

• Cum Laude Society in recognition of academic achievement in secondary schools 

• Phi Beta Kappa Academic Honor Society in recognition of exceptional academic achievement in the arts and sciences

Education: Doctoral degree from SMU, Masters degrees from Vanderbilt and UNT, Teaching Certification through UT Dallas, Bachelor’s degree from TCU

When he’s not working, Barry (known to his students as “Dr. P”) enjoys watching movies, playing board games, and going to festivals with his wife, Natalie, and his son, Evan. Otherwise, he’s writing, reading, or recovering from cleaning up the latest mess made by his beagle, Dodger.