She opened one of the first free public schools in New Jersey

Barton struggled with extreme shyness and decided to become a teacher. This suggestion was made by a touring phrenologist, not by family, friends, or a physician.

In 1852, while visiting a friend in Bordentown, New Jersey, Barton noticed a lot of street children who were in need of homes. She was granted permission to open the first free public school in Bordentown because she was determined to assist them. The school had increased from six students at the beginning of the year to several hundred by the conclusion. But when the school became successful, Barton was offended when a man was named principal instead of her. She was even more offended when she found out that she would only receive half of his pay. Barton got up and walked away. "I may occasionally be willing to teach for nothing, but if paid at all, I shall never do a man's work for less than a man's pay," she declared as she left the job.