HAMPTON CITY SCHOOLS EVERY CHILD, EVERY DAY, WHATEVER IT TAKES!
HAMPTON CITY SCHOOLS EVERY CHILD, EVERY DAY, WHATEVER IT TAKES!
RETURN TO HOME NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS GO TO NEWS ARCHIVES
2023-2024 Administrative Promotions, New Hires, and Changes
At the October 4, 2023, meeting of the School Board, the Hampton School Board approved the following promotion:
New Assistant Principal
Dr. Amanda Staton will serve as the assistant principal for Forrest Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year, effective October 20, 2023.
Staton is coming to Hampton from Newport News City Public Schools where she is currently serving as a middle school English teacher. She has 26 years of experience in public education serving students and staff in Newport News, Hampton, and York County. Her experiences include a classroom teacher, building administrator, and central office administrator.
She earned her bachelor’s in English from Hampton University and her master’s in school leadership as well as her doctorate in school leadership and policy students from The George Washington University.
At the August 16, 2023, meeting of the School Board, the Hampton School Board approved the following promotion:
New Assistant Principal
Gregory McDoe will serve as the assistant principal for Bryan Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year.
McDoe started with Hampton City Schools in 2018 as a kindergarten teacher at Asbury Elementary School. Beginning in 2019, he served as a third grade teacher for three years at Smith Elementary and most recently as a fifth grade teacher, also at Smith. Additionally, this past school year he served as a University Corner Program Coordinator.
He earned his associate’s from Richard Bland College of the College of William and Mary (Petersburg), his bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies and elementary education from Virginia State University, and his master’s in educational leadership from Old Dominion University.
At the August 2, 2023, meeting of the School Board, the Hampton School Board approved the following promotions and administrative new hires:
Director of Secondary School Leadership
Dr. Sean Callender will serve as the director of secondary school leadership for the 2023-2024 school year.
Callender is new to Hampton City Schools. For the past nine years, he has served as the principal of Booker T. Washington Marine Science Magnet School for Newport News City Public Schools. He has served in additional leadership roles in Newport News to include high school principal, middle school principal, high school assistant principal for instruction, assistant to the executive director of secondary schools, and secondary science instructional supervisor. Additionally, he served as an assistant principal and teacher in York County, as well as a teacher in Newport News.
He earned a bachelor’s in science education as well as a bachelor’s in biology from East Carolina University, as well as his master’s and doctorate in educational policy, planning and leadership from the College of William & Mary.
New Principal
Sara Meier will serve as the principal for Forrest Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year.
Meier is returning to Forrest after serving as an assistant principal at Bryan Elementary School. Prior to her administrative role at Bryan, she served as a first, second, and third grade teacher at Forrest. She also served in several leadership roles at Forrest to include but not limited to a representative on the School Leadership Team for her grade level, climate and culture coach, and mentor lead.
She has her bachelor’s in business administration from Liberty University as well as a minor in leadership from Liberty’s President’s Leadership Program. Meier has also earned a master’s in elementary education and an ED. S. in educational leadership both from Old Dominion University and was a member of the HCS ODU Leadership Cohort.
Assistant Principal New Hires
Dean McDowell will serve as an assistant principal for Jones Magnet Middle School.
McDowell is coming to Hampton from Norfolk Christian Schools where he served during this past school year as their director of exceptional learning. He began his career in education in Norfolk Public Schools where he served as a band and orchestra instructor at the high school level. During his time in Norfolk, he also served as an instrumental lead teacher, fine and performing arts department chair, and the Academy of Fine and Performing Arts program coordinator. From Norfolk, he served in Newport News City Public Schools as a high school and middle school assistant principal.
He earned his bachelor’s in music education from Hampton University, as well as both his Master of Divinity and master’s in educational leadership from Regent University.
Caitlin Orsborne will serve as an assistant principal for Smith Elementary School.
Orsborne has 17 years of experience teaching special education at the elementary level. She is coming to Hampton from Poquoson City Public Schools. In addition to her role as a special education teacher, she served as the lead special education teacher and was a part of the school leadership and Virginia Tiered Systems of Support teams. She is no stranger to Hampton, as she served as a special education teacher at Barron Fundamental Elementary School from 2005 to 2008.
She earned her bachelor’s in elementary and special education from East Stroudsburg University, as well as both her master’s in special education research and her Ed.S. in educational leadership from Old Dominion University.
Ogelynn Taloute will serve as an assistant principal for Syms Middle School.
Taloute is coming from Franklin City Public Schools where she served during this past school year as a curriculum specialist. She began her career in public education in Newport News City Public Schools with experience as an English teacher at the high school and middle school levels. She has also served in Suffolk Public Schools as a high school English teacher. Her other experiences include but are not limited to a homebound based instructor in Newport News and Suffolk, as well as a school testing lead in Newport News.
She earned her bachelor’s in English and her master’s in secondary education from Hampton University and her Ed.S. in educational leadership and administration from The George Washington University.
New Coordinator
Dr. Jennifer Thomason will serve as the coordinator for innovation and digital learning (formerly the department of innovation and professional learning).
Thomason has served as a digital learning specialist in the department of innovation and professional learning for the past three years. Additionally, she has served as a fifth grade teacher, both at Bryan Elementary (2012-2020) and Cesar Tarrant Elementary (2010-2012). Thomason has also written curriculum and assessments for the school division since 2015.
She earned her bachelor’s and master’s in education from Old Dominion University, as well as her educational specialist in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and her doctorate in educational leadership from Old Dominion University.
At the July 12, 2023, meeting of the School Board, the Hampton School Board approved the following promotions and administrative new hires:
New Principals
Laura Wyatt will serve as the principal for Barron Fundamental Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year.
Ms. Wyatt is no stranger to Barron Fundamental Elementary School as she has served Barron’s students, families, and staff for the past six years as the assistant principal. Additionally, she has been an assistant principal at Cary Elementary (now Mary T. Christian), Kraft Elementary, and Tucker-Capps Fundamental Elementary (now Mary W. Jackson). Prior to her administrative role, she served as an elementary school teacher for five years at Kraft Elementary as well as a school counselor at Kraft for 13 years.
She earned both her bachelor’s in elementary education and government and her master’s in school counseling from the College of William & Mary. She then earned her certification in educational leadership and supervision from The George Washington University.
Ernriekus Williams will be serving Mary W. Jackson Fundamental Elementary School as their principal for the 2023-2024 school year.
Williams joined Hampton City Schools four years ago and has served as an academy principal at Hampton High School for all four years. Prior to Hampton, he served for five years as a high school English teacher with Suffolk Public Schools with the leadership role of English department chair.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University and his master’s in educational leadership from Regent University.
Rodney Richardson will serve as principal of Mary S. Peake Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year.
Richardson joined the administrative team at Phenix PreK-8 School in 2020 as an assistant principal. Prior to his assistant principal position, he served as a teacher and history/social science department chair at Spratley Gifted Center (now Kilgore Gifted Center). Prior to Hampton City Schools, he worked in Norfolk Public Schools at Ruffner Academy, Lafayette Winona Middle School, and Lake Taylor Middle School.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Christopher Newport University and a master’s in education/administration and supervision from the University of Phoenix.
Principal Changes and Promotions
Chanda Mason has been promoted to principal of Andrews PreK-8 School for the 2023-2024 school year.
Mason is coming from Mary W. Jackson Fundamental Elementary School where she has served as their principal for the past two years. Prior to Jackson, she served as an assistant principal at Tarrant Middle School. Her 25 years of experience in education have spanned from her teaching career in Hampton City Schools at Moton Elementary, Bryan Elementary, Tucker-Capps Fundamental Elementary (now Mary Jackson), and George P. Phenix PreK-8 School.
She earned both her Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and Master of Science degree in Education from Old Dominion University. She has also earned an education specialist degree from Old Dominion University through the Hampton City Schools-Old Dominion cohort program.
Greg Hopson will be serving Eaton Fundamental Middle School as principal for the 2023-2024 school year.
Hopson has served the past two years as Lindsay Middle School’s principal. He began his teaching career at Benjamin Syms Middle School in 1999. From Syms he joined the Spratley Middle team (now Kilgore Gifted Center) in 2007 as an assistant principal, then served as a middle school assistant principal at Eaton and Andrews. He joined the administrative team at Bethel High School in 2014, where he served as the Academy Principal for Law and Public Safety.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from Florida A & M University and a master’s degree in administrative leadership and supervision from Old Dominion University.
Sharif Hicks has been promoted to serve as principal of Lindsay Middle School for the 2023-2024 school year.
Hicks has served as Mary S. Peake Elementary School’s principal for the past two years. He joined Hampton City Schools in 2015 and served as an assistant principal at Bryan Elementary, Cary Elementary (now Mary T. Christian Elementary), and Andrews PreK-8 School, as well as an academy principal at Hampton High School. He began his educational career in 2005 as an instructional assistant in Newport News City Public Schools. He went on to teach elementary grades in New Jersey, Richmond Public Schools, and Newport News City Public Schools.
He earned a bachelor’s and a master’s at Hampton University and an educational specialist degree in administration and leadership from Old Dominion University.
Mario Barkley will be serving Machen Elementary School as principal for this upcoming school year.
Barkley has served as Andrews’ principal for the past four years. Prior to Andrews, he served as an assistant principal at Syms Middle School and an assistant principal at Andrews PreK-8 School. He began his teaching career as a social studies teacher at Hampton High School in August of 2005.
He has a Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of William & Mary, and an Ed.S. in administration and supervision from The George Washington University.
Assistant Principal/Academy Principal New Hires, Promotions, and Changes
Georgandrea Erickson will serve as an assistant principal for Andrews PreK-8 School.
Erickson has been an assistant principal at Phenix PreK-8 School for the past four years. Prior to her administrative role, she served as a middle school math teacher at Phenix as well as taught at Syms Middle School, Asbury Elementary School, and Lindsay Middle School.
She received her bachelor’s degree in education from St. Cloud State University, a master’s degree in middle school math from Waldon University, as well as a master’s degree in educational leadership from Old Dominion University.
Dr. LaTonya Harris will be serving as an assistant principal for Armstrong School for the Arts.
Harris joins Armstrong from Burbank where she has served the past four years as their assistant principal. She also served as an assistant principal for one year at Bassette Elementary School. Prior to coming to Hampton, she served the students and staff in Chesapeake Public Schools as a Title I instructional coach for two years and a third grade teacher for a year. Prior to Chesapeake, Harris served as an elementary classroom teacher and Title I instructional technology resource specialist for Norfolk Public Schools for 15 years, for a total of 16 years of classroom teaching experience.
She earned her bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies from Norfolk State University, her master’s in educational leadership from Regent University, and her doctorate in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Harris has 25 years of experience serving in Virginia's public schools with 16 of those years as a classroom teacher.
Dr. Ron Holloman is joining Barron Elementary School as their assistant principal.
Holloman has served as an assistant principal at Kilgore Gifted Center since 2016. He has over 30 years of experience, beginning his career as a teacher at Hampton High School. Additionally, he has served as an assistant principal and principal at Cary Elementary (now Mary T. Christian) and an assistant principal at Phenix PreK-8 School.
He has a bachelor’s in marketing from Virginia State University, a master’s in educational leadership from Old Dominion University, as well as a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Bethel High School welcomes two new academy principals to their administrative team, Patrick McRae and Kim Riggs-Poole.
McRae joined Hampton City Schools in 2017 where he has been serving as a math teacher at Tarrant Middle School. At Tarrant, he served on the testing, climate and culture, staff participation, achievement champion success team, and safety committees. Additionally, he was grade level team lead and mentored and coached new teachers for the past two years. McRae was recognized as the HCS Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2021-2022. Prior to his educational career, he served as a personal banker and brokerage associate for Wells Fargo as well as an assistant vice president, branch manager for SunTrust Bank.
He has a bachelor’s in economics with a minor in statistics from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s in business administration from Bellevue University, and will receive his Ed.S. in educational leadership from Old Dominion University in August.
Riggs-Poole has been promoted to an academy principal from an assistant principal at Tarrant Middle School where she has served the Bulldog staff, students, and families for six years. She began her career in education as a middle school science teacher at Syms Middle School in 2002, where she also served as instructional leader for seven years. She also taught at Jones Magnet Middle School.
She earned her bachelor’s in interdivisional studies from Virginia Wesleyan College. She was a part of the HCS leadership cohort and earned her master’s in educational leadership from Old Dominion University.
Shantae Robins will serve as assistant principal for Burbank Elementary School.
Robins has served as Aberdeen Elementary’s assistant principal for the past two years. Before joining Hampton City Schools, she served as an elementary teacher with Chesapeake Public Schools since 2002. Prior to Chesapeake Public Schools, she served the students and families at Portsmouth Public Schools.
She received a bachelor’s in early childhood education from Norfolk State University and a master’s in educational leadership administration and supervision from Old Dominion University. She has a post master’s certificate in supervision and exceptional learners from Regent University.
Cooper Elementary Magnet School for Technology welcomes Michael Kelly to their administrative team as their assistant principal. Kelly served as Kraft Elementary’s assistant principal this past year and Asbury’s assistant principal in 2021-2022. Prior to Asbury, he served as a special education teacher at Smith Elementary School. He began his career in education as a special education teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools. Over his career, he has also served as a school improvement grant instructional coach in St. Louis, an assistant principal in Illinois, and an elementary principal in California.
Kelly earned his bachelor’s in music education at the State University of New York and his master’s in special education as well as a master’s in educational leadership at George Mason University.
Meredith Miller will serve Eaton Fundamental Middle School as one of their assistant principals.
Miller is coming from Jones Magnet Middle where she has served the past two years as an assistant principal. She began her educational career with Virginia Beach City Public Schools in 2013 as a middle school social studies teacher before transitioning to high school where she first taught history and then served as an AVID elective teacher and AVID coordinator.
She has both her bachelor’s in history with a concentration in education and her master’s in education, administration and supervision from Old Dominion University.
Hampton High School welcomes two new academy principals to their administrative team, Jerrelle Griffin and Ronnie Ratliff, Jr..
Griffin was promoted to academy principal from an assistant principal at Eaton Middle, where she served the Eaton community for four years. Additionally, she has served as an assistant principal at Syms Middle School and Jones Magnet Middle School, as well as a learning facilitator for four years. She began her teaching career with Newport News City Schools as a science teacher, first at Denbigh High School and then at Warwick High School.
She earned her bachelor’s in molecular biology from Hampton University and her master’s in educational leadership from Regent University.
Ratliff is coming to Hampton from Portsmouth Public Schools where he has served as a high school special education teacher and elementary physical education teacher. Additionally, his leadership roles have included positive behavior interventions and supports school coordinator and coach as well as chair of his school’s improvement team. He was also the head varsity football coach at Woodrow Wilson High School for three years.
He has a bachelor’s in mass communications from Bethune Cookman College and a master’s in educational leadership from Old Dominion University.
Dr. Jerry (Greg) Jessee joins the Kecoughtan High School administrative team as an academy principal.
Dr. Jessee is coming to Hampton from Wise County Public Schools where he has served since 2012 as a middle school principal. He began his educational career in 2001 as a marketing education coordinator, then as a high school assistant principal. Additionally, he served as a high school athletic director for three years.
He earned his bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Virginia at Wise and his master’s, also in business administration from Virginia Polytechnic University and State University. He furthered his education and obtained his Ed.S. in administrative leadership from the University of Virginia and his doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of the Cumberlands.
Kilgore Gifted Center welcomes Pamela Hawk-Williams as their assistant principal.
Hawk-Williams has served the past two years as the assistant principal for Armstrong School for the Arts. She also served for five years as the assistant principal at Asbury Elementary. Prior to Asbury, she was an assistant principal at both Armstrong School for the Arts, Tucker-Capps (now Mary W. Jackson), Bryan and Wythe. She began her educational career as a teacher in Richmond and also served as a teacher and interim-assistant principal in Suffolk.
She earned her bachelor’s in social work and her master’s in teaching both from Virginia Commonwealth University, as well as her Ed.S. from Old Dominion University.
Andrea Darden will be joining Kraft Elementary to serve as the assistant principal for the 2023-2024 school year.
Darden has served as Machen’s assistant principal since the 2021-2022 school year. She taught in both South Carolina and North Carolina before joining Hampton City Schools in 2010. She has served as a special education teacher and instructional leader at both Tarrant Elementary School and Bryan Elementary School.
She received her bachelor’s in special education from East Carolina University and her master’s in educational leadership from Regent University.
Lindsay Middle School welcomes two new assistant principals, Chantel Bullock and Dr. Michael Dunbar.
Bullock joined Hampton City Schools last year as a fifth grade teacher at Mary Peake Elementary School. She came to Hampton after relocating from the Chicago/NWI area to Newport News, Virginia, with her family. Prior to Hampton, she served as a junior high school principal for six years in Illinois. She began her educational career as a paraprofessional in Illinois and then served as a general education and special education teacher. Her other professional experiences include, special education teacher (Indiana), special education self-contained teacher (Illinois), special education resource teacher (Illinois), K-12 associate principal (Indiana), and a special education administrator (Indiana). Additionally, she is a proud veteran of the United States Navy.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from Chicago State University and her master’s in teaching from National Louis University, as well as a master’s in educational leadership from Saint Xavier University.
Dunbar is coming to Hampton City Schools from Chesapeake Public Schools. He has served as a middle school principal and middle school assistant principal, as well as a middle and high school art teacher. He also served on the Positive Behavior Interventions Support City-wide Implementation team and Virginia Tiered System of Supports leadership team.
He has his bachelor’s from Old Dominion University, his master’s in urban education and leadership from Norfolk State University, and his doctorate in education from Virginia Polytechnic University.
Sandra Taylor will join the Machen Elementary administrative team as their assistant principal.
Taylor is coming from Cooper Elementary where she has served the past three years as assistant principal. She began her teaching career as a Freshman Academy & English teacher in Suffolk Public Schools. She also taught one year in Portsmouth Public Schools and four years in Chesapeake Public Schools before joining the Hampton City Schools family where she served as the literacy support specialist at Syms Middle School for two years.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Washington & Jefferson College, a master’s in education from Regent University, and a post master’s certificate in educational leadership and administration from The George Washington University.
Sierra Ware and Erik Wilson both join the Phenix PreK-8 School administrative team.
Ware moves to Phenix after serving the past two years as an assistant principal at Andrews PreK-8. She came to Andrews from Hampton High School where she served in the roles of an English teacher, the Academies of Hampton Maritime Academy team lead, an English instructional leader, and a credit recovery coordinator.
She earned her bachelor’s and master’s from Old Dominion University, as well as her postgraduate professional license in administration and supervision. Ware is currently working on her Ph.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Erik Wilson was promoted to assistant principal from an Academies of Hampton academy coach, where he served Phoebus High for the past three years. He began his educational career as an elementary teacher and instructional lead with Hampton City Schools. He then taught at the Achievable Dream Academy for Newport News City Schools before moving to Michigan and serving as an elementary teacher for Detroit Public Schools and then a program coordinator for the Ohio State University Office of Minority Affairs Young Scholars Program. He returned to Hampton City Schools in 2006 where he served as a history teacher and instructional leader until 2020.
He earned his bachelor’s in history from Howard University, his master’s in teaching and learning from Ohio State University, and his master’s in educational leadership from the College of William & Mary.
Phoebus High School welcomes two new academy principals to their administrative team, Vernita Brown and Lindsay Jackson.
Brown has been with Hampton City Schools since 2007, beginning as a special education teacher at Spratley Middle School (now Kilgore Gifted Center) and then Phenix PreK-8 School and Phoebus High School. She has also served as a graduation coordinator and extended enrichment learning coordinator. She most recently served as a dean of students at Phoebus High School during the 2022-2023 school year. Additionally, she was the head boys and girls track and field coach from 2009 to 2019.
She earned her bachelor’s in political science and public administration from Norfolk State University, her K-12 special education certificate from Virginia Union University, and her master’s in educational leadership from Old Dominion University.
Jackson is coming from Smith Elementary where she has served the past year as their assistant principal. She began her educational career in 2007 as an elementary school teacher in Kentucky before moving to Virginia and serving elementary school students in two other school divisions before coming to Hampton in 2016. She served as an elementary teacher at Mary S. Peake Elementary as well as Peake’s climate coach and 21st century site coordinator.
She has her bachelor’s in elementary education from Kentucky State University as well as a master’s in elementary education from Indiana University. In addition, she has a master’s in educational leadership from Old Dominion University and was a member of the HCS ODU Leadership Cohort.
Syms Middle School welcomes one new assistant principal, Maurice Horton.
Horton joined Hampton City Schools in 2019 and has served as a special education teacher at Bethel High School. Prior to Hampton, he was with Newport News City Schools first as an instructional assistant and then as a special education teacher, both at the elementary and middle school levels. His leadership roles include interim dean of students at Bethel High, lead facilitator for the HCS math department collaborative learning team, HCS induction mentor, and lead of Boys 2 Men Mentorship.
He earned his bachelor’s in recreation and leisure studies from the University of Mount Olive and his master’s in special education from Grand Canyon University, as well as his certificate in administration and leadership from the Virginia Department of Education.
David Johnson has been promoted to assistant principal at Tarrant Middle School.
Johnson began his career with Hampton City Schools in 2018 as a career & technical education teacher for Phoebus High School where he also served as the CTE instructional lead and as the team lead for the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, Freshman Academy, and Academy of Cybersecurity, Engineering, & Robotics. Johnson retired from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel after a 22 year career culminating as the Professor of Military Science for Virginia State University.
He has a bachelor’s degree from Norfolk State University in interdisciplinary studies, a master’s degree in public policy administration from the University of Missouri at Saint Louis, a master’s from Webster University in business administration, and a master’s in higher education administration from the University of Louisville. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in educational policy, planning, and leadership from the College of William & Mary.
Additionally, the school locations for the three assistant principal appointments that were approved at the June 7, 2023, School Board meeting are as follows:
*******************************************************************
At the June 27, 2023, meeting of the School Board, the Hampton School Board approved the following promotions: Shameka Pollard as chief of secondary school leadership, Dr. James Harris as chief academic officer, and Jennifer Oliver as director of community and government relations. Click here for the full release.
The Board also approved Karen Johnson as the new out of school time coordinator and Jennifer Richardson as the out of school time assistant coordinator. Johnson has been the principal of Barron Elementary since 2017. She has also served in the capacity of an assistant principal at Machen Elementary and Tyler Elementary (now named Mary S. Peake Elementary). Prior to Hampton City Schools, she served as a Title I reading interventionist for Newport News City Public Schools. Richardson has been with Hampton City Schools for over 25 years, serving as an elementary inclusion teacher, Title 1 elementary math teacher, and for the past 11 years as a Title I math support specialist.
Additionally, the school locations for the three principal appointments that were approved at the June 7, 2023, School Board meeting are as follows:
*************************************************************************
At the June 7, 2023, meeting of the School Board, the Hampton School Board approved three new secondary school principals, one curriculum leader, and three new assistant principals for the 2023-2024 school year, effective July 1, 2023.
New Secondary School Principals
David Coccoli will serve as a secondary school principal for the 2023-2024 school year, location to be determined.
Coccoli has been an academy principal at Phoebus High School for the past four years serving for a year as the academy principal for the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism and three years as the Freshman Academy Principal. Coccoli also served as an assistant principal at Jones Magnet Middle School. Prior to joining Hampton City Schools, he served as a high school social studies teacher and head football coach for four years in Suffolk Public Schools. Before his experience in Suffolk, he served as a high school teacher and football coach in Dumfries, Manassas and Newport News.
Coccoli earned his bachelor’s degree in history at Christopher Newport University, his master’s in education from Old Dominion University, and his Ed.S. from Old Dominion University.
Haneef Majied will serve as a secondary school principal for the 2023-2024 school year, location to be determined.
Majied has served as an academy principal at Hampton High School since the 2021-2022 school year, overseeing the Virginia Ship Repair Association Maritime Academy and the International Baccalaureate Academy. He joined Hampton City Schools in 2017 and served for four years as Freshman Academy and Academy of Hospitality and Tourism principal at Phoebus High School. Prior to Phoebus High, he served as a technology teacher and an academic program director for Junior University in Norfolk Public Schools and as a school counselor at Norview Middle School in Norfolk. Additionally, he has experience as a community-based counselor.
He has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Averett University and a master’s degree in school counseling from Norfolk State University. He holds an educational specialist degree from Regent University. He is furthering his education and is currently in the doctoral program at Regent University.
Carla Montgomery will serve as a secondary school principal for the 2023-2024 school year, location to be determined.
Montgomery has been an assistant principal since 2019 at Syms Middle School. Prior to Syms, she served as an assistant principal at Lindsay Middle School for five years. She began her teaching career in Isle of Wight as a sixth grade science teacher before she joined the Hampton City Schools team in 2005 as a science teacher and then a behavior specialist, both at Lindsay Middle School. Montgomery has also served as an intensive in-home mental health counselor for six years for New Seasons Clinical Services in Hampton.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University and her master’s in educational leadership from Grand Canyon University.
New Curriculum Leader
Dr. Danielle Sisson-Jones will join Hampton City Schools team and serve as the secondary English Language Arts curriculum leader for the 2023-2024 school year. She will work alongside Shari Drake who will continue to serve as the elementary English Language Arts curriculum leader.
She began her career in education seven years ago as a middle school English teacher in Amelia County and then Lynchburg City Public Schools. She has also served as a reading specialist/interventionist for Richmond City Public Schools and a district secondary reading specialist for the City of Colonial Heights Public Schools.
Sisson-Jones earned her bachelor’s in secondary education and master’s in education, both from Longwood University. She further pursued her education and earned her doctorate of education in curriculum and instruction from Liberty University as well as an educational leadership endorsement from Longwood University.
New Assistant Principals
Will Bane will serve as a middle school assistant principal for the 2023-2024 school year, location to be determined.
He began his educational career in 2011 as a high school social studies teacher for the Floyd County School District in Kentucky. Bane joined Hampton City Schools in 2017 and has served as a social studies teacher at Phoebus High School and currently at Kecoughtan High School. He served as the team lead at both Phoebus and Kecoughtan for their Freshman Academies, as well as authored the Hampton City Schools Geography Alternate Learning Plan and contributed to the World History II division curriculum. Additionally, he has been the director of professional development for Teach for America Appalachia since 2016 to present date.
Bane has a bachelor’s degree in distinguished government and history from the University of Virginia and a master’s in education from the College of William & Mary. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in education from the College of William & Mary.
Mallary Reynolds will serve as an elementary school assistant principal for the 2023-2024 school year, location to be determined.
Reynolds has been a fifth grade teacher since 2014, serving students at Bryan Elementary, Langley Elementary, and currently at Mary T. Christian Elementary. She has been a grade level lead at all three schools and most recently has reviewed curriculum for the HCS FLEx program. Additionally, she has served in the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2016.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Armstrong Atlantic State University and her master’s in educational leadership from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
Jessica Townsend will serve as an elementary school assistant principal for the 2023-2024 school year, location to be determined.
Townsend began her career as an elementary school teacher for Newport News City Public Schools. She joined Hampton City Schools in 2011 as a math interventionist at Forrest Elementary School. She has also served in the roles of mentor lead, school testing coordinator, SOL tutoring coordinator, and Girls on the Run site liaison. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and completed the HCS Teacher Leadership Series in June 2021.
She earned her bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies, her master’s in elementary education, and her Ed.S. in educational leadership, all from Old Dominion University.
*************************************************************************
At the May 3, 2023, meeting of the School Board, the Hampton School Board approved two new principals and the director of athletics for the 2023-2024 school year, effective July 1, 2023.
New High School Executive Principals
Bethel High School
Tanya Howard will be serving the Bethel Bruin students, families, and staff, as Ralph Saunders retires from Hampton City Schools at the end of June.
Howard has been a Bethel academy principal for the past five years. Prior to her experience as an academy principal, she spent three years as a graduation specialist for HCS at Hampton High School. She also served one year as a college and career coach at Hampton High School and seven years as a business teacher at Kecoughtan, Hampton, Phoebus, and Bridgeport Academy.
She earned a bachelor of science in business management from Hampton University, a master’s in business administration from Strayer University, and her education specialist degree in educational leadership and administration from The George Washington University. Howard is further pursuing her education at The George Washington University and is projected to earn her Ed.D in educational administration and policy.
Kecoughtan High School
Dwayne Lucas will be serving the Kecoughtan Warrior students, families, and staff, as Dr. Violet Whiteman retires from Hampton City Schools at the end of June.
Lucas has served as the principal at Tarrant Middle School for the past three years. Prior to Tarrant, he was an academy principal at Kecoughtan High School for six years. He has also served as an assistant principal at Lindsay Middle School for eight years and during his last year at Lindsay was the acting principal for four months. Lucas began his career in education as an English teacher at Bethel High School in 2003, where he served the Bruins for three years. In 2001, he was an AVID tutor at Spratley Middle (now Kilgore Gifted Center). He also has experience as an evening GED administrator (2005-2006), an evening administrator at Y.H. Thomas (2007-2008) and an adjunct professor at Tidewater Community College (2009-2012).
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Hampton University and his master’s in educational leadership from Regent University. Lucas is further pursuing his education and is projected to earn his Ed.D. in leadership and professional practice from Trevecca Nazarene University.
New Director of Athletics
Richard Fortune will be serving Hampton City Schools as the director of athletics. Fortune replaces Beth Mair who is retiring at the end of June.
Fortune comes to Hampton from Suffolk Public Schools where he has served as the division’s activities director since July of 2021. Prior to Suffolk, he served three years as the athletic director for Hampton High School, the home of the Crabbers.
He served as the Old Dominion University’s assistant women’s basketball coach from 2017 to 2018 and from 2012 to 2015. Between 2015 and 2017, he was the assistant women’s basketball coach for Virginia Commonwealth University.
Prior to his collegiate experience, Fortune began his career in education as a student support specialist for Caroline County Public Schools in Milford, Virginia, and a deputy zoning administrator, also for Caroline County Schools in Bowling Green, Virginia. He has experience as a planning technician, a role he held for four years with the Prince William County Planning Department in Woodridge, Virginia.
Fortune is a graduate of Virginia State University with a bachelor’s degree in public administration.
© 2024 HAMPTON CITY SCHOOLS All Rights Reserved
ONE FRANKLIN STREET, HAMPTON, VIRGINIA 23669
757-727-2000
