Unexpected Crossover: Little Britain's Principal & Livvy Dunne

By VALENTINA CORTEZ.

“I am with your principal. He’s the best, and stay in school!” exclaims Livvy Dunne, American influencer and former LSU gymnast, on the Washingtonville Social Media page. Immediately, questions are asked, and allegations rise. “But I would get in trouble if I used AI” writes a user in the comment section. Livvy Dunne meeting a principal in our district? A scenario that seems fake, but not impossible when you’re Dr. Barrie.

Dr. Barrie, the proud principal of Little Britain Elementary School since August 2021, was once told by a student, “No one big is ever going to know who we are.” In response, he did the unthinkable. After discussing with the PE teachers on how to encourage the students to be active and healthy, he took the initiative and wrote to baseball players, football players, you name it. He sent, “Can you write messages to our kids [about] why they should be active?” At the end, the school received over 100 people. They received letters from Robert Kraft, the New England Patriots owner, Richard Michael “Goose” Gossage, an American former baseball pitcher, and Rebecca Lobo, a former New York Liberty player. 

Little Britain’s principal shifts his priorities towards encouraging his students to score high; to reach for the stars. “One of my proudest accomplishments is getting a child to his goal, that is counting money and making change.” Dr. Barrie made a 18 year-old’s goal reality!

As a principal, he’s the proudest when he sees his students smile and move up to middle school, and then seeing them in high school. “My first class here [in Little Britain] is now in high school.” The Class of 2029 was his first class, and now, they are on the road to success as freshmen in high school. 

Aside from his career, he has a passion for baseball. “I played until I unfortunately injured myself. That actually was probably one of the greatest things that ever happened, because it changed my life.” Dr. Barrie’s injury opened the door to realizing that he was meant to be in academics. Since then, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from St. Bonaventure University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from Marist College, a C.A.S. (Certificate of Advanced Study) in School and District Administration from SUNY New Paltz, and most recently, completed his Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on STEM education from Liberty University. He’s an individual who finds pride in education!

Although his injury cut his baseball journey short, he continues to keep the sport alive. Before he had kids, he always had season tickets for the Yankees. Specifically, for 20 years straight! He self-claimed to have been a “bleacher creature.” Now, he loves meeting the players. Through his friend, Mike Puma, a Mets beat reporter for the New York Post, Dr. Barrie and his wife were invited to the NY BBWAA (New York Baseball Writers’ Assoc. Of America) on January 24th, 2026. 

Dr. Barrie, his daughter, and Livvy Dunne, NY BBWAA, 01/24/26

Livvy Dunne being the girlfriend of Paul Skenes, the American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, she too was invited to the NY BBWAA. With Dr. Barrie’s outgoing personality, it’s no surprise that he conversed with Ms. Dunne. “She was so friendly. She had a 10-15 minute conversation with my daughter, who’s in fifth grade.” 

Similar to how Livvy Dunne advised Dr. Barrie’s daughter to “reach for her dreams,” Dr. Christopher Barrie lives with a purpose to always put kids first. “Whatever can make a child successful,” is his driving force. Without a doubt, Little Britain Elementary School will continue to prosper under his authority.