After an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report ranked the United States as 28th out of 34 nation members in high school math and science, Dr. John P. Barrett aspired to have a direct impact on change.

In 2013, along with three generations of his family, he established the Barrett Family Foundation as a grassroots effort to recognize outstanding teachers who demonstrate innovation and creativity in their teaching methodology. A tri-county – Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough - philanthropy, the foundation is dedicated to advocacy, retention, and increased pay for outstanding high school math and science teachers.

Since its inception, the foundation has bestowed its $10,000 Excellence in Math-Science Teaching Award upon 39 teachers. Six of these awardees also received $5000 for classroom use. Previously, three to twelve awards were given annually. In 2019, the foundation will honor 20 exceptional high school math and science teachers.

Led by Dr. Barrett, the chair, and Brian C. Barrett, the executive director, the Barrett family remains committed to using its philanthropic resources to realize its vision of raising awareness of teacher efficacy, growing support for higher teacher compensation, and increasing retention of exemplary teachers.