2024-2025 Administrative Promotions, New Hires, and Changes 

At the July 17, 2024, meeting of the School Board, the Hampton School Board approved the following administrative promotions:

New Principal

Dr. Michael Dunbar will serve as the principal of Forrest Elementary School beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. 

Dr. Dunbar served as an assistant principal at Lindsay Middle School during the 2023-2024 school year. Before coming to Hampton, he served as a middle school principal and middle school assistant principal, as well as a middle and high school art teacher. 

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.

New Assistant Principals

Martha Grondin has been promoted to assistant principal at Armstrong School for the Arts.

Grondin has worked as a music teacher with Hampton City Schools since 2007. Prior to joining Hampton City Schools, she worked in Chatham County Schools in Pittsboro, North Carolina.

She has a bachelor’s in music education from Meredith College, a master’s in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Tech, and an Ed.S. in educational leadership from Old Dominion University. She was a member of the HCS ODU Leadership Cohort.  

Dr. Brady Payne has been promoted to assistant principal at Lindsay Middle School.

Dr. Payne served as a behavior specialist at Andrews PreK-8 School since 2022. Prior to that, he was a school counselor and an elementary teacher. His other leadership roles include but are not limited to a climate and culture coach, Literacy and Arts program coordinator, G.E.A.R. U.P. site coordinator, and extended enrichment learning program coordinator. Additionally, Dr. Payne was the 2020 HCS division level elementary teacher of the year.

He has a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies and a master’s in professional school counseling from Hampton University and a doctorate in educational policy, planning and leadership from William & Mary.

Alexandra Snyder has been promoted to academy principal at Hampton High School.

Snyder began her full-time teaching career in Hampton City Schools as an alternative learning teacher. Additionally, her role included serving as a STRETCH coordinator and school climate coach.

She has a bachelor’s in secondary social studies from Fairmont State University and a master’s in educational leadership and supervision from Old Dominion University. She was a member of the HCS ODU Leadership Cohort.  

Vincent Bryant will serve in the role of academy principal at Kecoughtan High School.

Bryant returns to Hampton after serving as a high school assistant principal in Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Public Schools. Previously, he served as a dean of students in Hampton at Phoebus High School as well as a health and physical education teacher and girls varsity basketball coach for Norfolk Public Schools. 

He earned a bachelor’s in health and physical education with a minor in sports management from Old Dominion University and a master’s in educational leadership from Liberty University.

New director

 

Leidimar Ramirez will serve as the new director of Language Programs.

Ramirez comes to Hampton City Schools from Newport News Public Schools where she held the position of an instructional ESL lead teacher since 2019. Before that, she taught Spanish in the York County School Division and Isle of Wight County Schools. She also worked in the Houston Independent School District, Henrico County Public Schools, and Blue Valley School District in Kansas. She has also been an adjunct professor at Christopher Newport University.

Ramirez holds a bachelor’s in education with a major in foreign language instruction and a minor in English as a foreign language from Simon Rodriguez University. She also earned a master’s in teaching English to speakers of other languages from Grand Canyon University,  a master’s in Spanish education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and an Ed.S. in educational leadership from Old Dominion University. 

New coordinator

Beth Horne will serve as the new coordinator of Innovation & Digital Learning.

Horne began her teaching career with Hampton City Schools in 2000 as an elementary teacher. She then served in the role as an instructional technology resource teacher, curriculum integration technology teacher, and a digital learning specialist for the past 17 years. Additionally, Ms. Horne served proudly in the U.S. Army.

She earned her bachelor’s in elementary education from St. Bonaventure University and her master’s in administration and supervision from the University of Phoenix. 

 

 

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New Director

Shelly Spain is assuming a new role for the 2024-2025 school year as the Title I director of literacy. In this role, she will work closely with administrators in Title I schools to advance literacy development for all students.  

Spain began her education career in Norfolk Public Schools, where she served as a classroom teacher, literacy teacher, and instructional specialist. She joined Hampton City Schools in 2008 as an assistant principal assigned to Forrest Elementary School. She also served as an assistant principal at Booker (now Patrick), Barron, and Langley elementary schools. In 2017 she was promoted to principal of Tyler Elementary School (now Peake Elementary School). She has served as the principal of Bassette Elementary School since 2018.

Spain earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Norfolk State University and a master’s degree in administration from Regent University.

Principal Changes

Dr. Tiffany Geddie-Suggs will serve the Armstrong School for the Arts family as the principal, replacing Millicent Rogers (retiring).

 

Dr. Suggs has 30 years of experience in education, serving as the principal of Tucker-Capps Fundamental Elementary School, and as the principal of Aberdeen Elementary since 2021. Prior to her principalship, she served as an assistant principal at Asbury Elementary and Smith Elementary. Dr. Suggs began her career in education teaching 12 years in the elementary setting.

 

She received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in elementary education from Fayetteville State University. She earned a master’s degree in educational leadership administration and supervision from Regent University and her doctorate in education from Regent University.

Dr. Rohan Cumberbatch-Smith will be serving Bassette Elementary School, replacing Shelly Spain who will be serving as the Title I director of literacy.

 

Dr. Cumberbatch-Smith has been the principal of Phillips Elementary since 2021.  He previously served at Bassette Elementary School as an assistant principal. He joined Hampton City Schools in 2017, serving Kraft Elementary in the role of assistant principal. Prior to HCS, he served the students, parents, and staff in Norfolk Public Schools as a building administrator, instructional specialist, and teacher. He began his career in education in New York where he taught second grade and was a special education co-teacher.

 

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the City College of New York and his master’s in special education from Brooklyn College. He furthered his education at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and University where he earned his Ed.S. as well as his doctorate in educational leadership.

 

Sara Meier will serve as the principal of Patrick Elementary School, replacing Dr. Kara Plank (promoted to director of elementary school leadership)

Meier recently served as principal at Forrest Elementary School before 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 including 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.  

Jasmin Royal will serve as the principal at Aberdeen Elementary School, replacing Dr. Tiffany Geddie-Suggs (moving to Armstrong School for the Arts). See Royal’s bio below (June 5, 2024).

Jarad Munroe will serve as the principal at Phillips Elementary, replacing Dr. Rohan Cumberbatch-Smith (moving to Bassette). See Munroe’s bio below (June 5, 2024).

Assistant Principal Changes

Jessica Townsend will serve as assistant principal at Bassette Elementary, coming from the role of assistant principal at Phillips Elementary.

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. In addition to assistant principal, 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. 

Rasan Holmes will relocate as assistant principal at Burbank Elementary School.

Holmes has served as the assistant principal at Langley Elementary School since 2022. Prior to moving to Langley, he served as a music teacher at Phillips since 2017. Holmes held several leadership roles at Phillips including a mentor lead teacher, algebra readiness coordinator, building mentor, and a summer learning coordinator. Prior to Phillips, he served Lindsay Middle School students as the director of bands and was an assistant professor at Hampton University.

LaKeshia Ames will serve as assistant principal at Jackson Elementary School.

Ames previously served as assistant principal at Bassette Elementary since 2021. Four years prior she served as Cary Elementary’s (now Christian Elementary) assistant principal. She began her career in education as a teacher in Portsmouth Public Schools and also taught in Norfolk Public Schools as well as North Carolina.

 

She earned her bachelor’s in early childhood education from Norfolk State University and her master’s in educational leadership from Regent University. In addition, Ms. Ames was a National Milken Educator Award recipient in 2012. 

Shantae Robins, formerly assistant principal at Burbank Elementary, will serve as assistant principal at Langley Elementary.

Prior to Burbank, Robins served as Aberdeen Elementary’s assistant principal for 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 in 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.

Anna Thoey will join the faculty at Phenix PreK-8 School as assistant principal.

Prior to her assignment at Phenix PreK-8, Thoey was a member of the Andrews PreK-8 administrative team as an assistant principal since the 2021-2022 school year. 

Before her promotion to assistant principal at Andrews, Thoey served the Andrews students and families since 2014 as a fourth and fifth grade teacher. Prior to her time at Andrews, she taught second and third grade at Tyler Elementary (now Peake Elementary).  

 

She received her bachelor’s in education as well as her master’s in elementary education from Old Dominion University and her administrative endorsement in administrative leadership from The George Washington University.

Mallory Hinshaw will serve Phillips Elementary School as assistant principal, coming from the same role at Phenix PreK-8 School.

Hinshaw began her educational career in Bloomington, Illinois teaching middle school science and English. She joined HCS in 2010 as a teacher at Tucker-Capps Fundamental Elementary School (now Jackson Elementary)  teaching fourth and fifth grade for five years before moving to Eaton Fundamental Middle School where she taught eighth grade science for six years. In addition, Hinshaw was a site coordinator for Saturday School at Eaton Middle. She also wrote curriculum for eighth grade science and was a professional development facilitator for middle school science.  

 

She received her bachelor’s in elementary education from Bradley University and her master’s in education administration from Lamar University. Additionally, she earned her professional certification in elementary education with endorsements in middle school science and English as well as her certification in supervision and administration from Lamar.

 

At the June 20, 2024, meeting of the School Board, the Hampton School Board approved the following administrative promotions:

New Assistant Principals

Brittany Foster has been promoted to a middle school assistant principal at Lindsay Middle School effective July 1, 2024. 

Foster began her career as a PreK teacher in Washington, D.C. before serving as a PreK teacher with the Downtown Hampton Child Development Center. She joined Hampton City Schools in 2014 where she served as a language arts teacher for seven years at Syms Middle (one year) and Eaton Fundamental Middle (six years). She has spent the last three years as a literacy support specialist at Syms Middle School. Her other leadership roles include the varsity girls tennis coach at Hampton High, a secondary arts and literacy program coordinator for the summer arts and literacy program, as well as a language arts curriculum writer.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a bachelor’s degree in African-American Studies, both from the University of Virginia. She was a part of the Career Switcher Program at Old Dominion University where she earned her endorsement in secondary English language arts. She continued her education at Old Dominion University and earned her master’s in educational leadership as a part of the Hampton City Schools and Old Dominion Monarch LEAD cohort.

Love Kane has been promoted to a middle school assistant principal at Andrews PreK-8 School effective July 1, 2024. 

Kane began her career in education as an early reading interventionist assistant at Smith Elementary School. She then moved on to a self-contained instructional assistant at Syms Middle, before earning her teaching degree. Upon receiving her degree, she then served as an elementary school teacher at Phillips Elementary and most recently at Aberdeen Elementary. Her other leadership roles include a University Corner site coordinator from 2022 to present as well as planning and developing professional development opportunities for new and novice teachers and serving on various division-wide committees. 

She earned her bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies from Old Dominion University as well as her master’s in educational leadership as a part of the Hampton City Schools and Old Dominion Monarch LEAD cohort. 

Additionally, the following individuals have been selected to serve in different locations for the 2024-2025 school year.  These changes do not require Board action.

Assistant Principal/Academy Principal Changes

Dean McDowell will serve as an assistant principal for Andrews PreK-8 School for the 2024-2025 school year. 

McDowell has served as an assistant principal for Jones Magnet Middle School this past school year. Prior to Jones, he served as the director of exceptional learning for Norfolk Christian School. He began his career in education in Norfolk Public Schools where he was 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. Additionally, he was a high school and middle school assistant principal for Newport News City Public Schools.

 

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.

Dr. Sharmaine Grove will be joining the Bethel High Bruins administrative team as an academy principal for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Dr. Grove joined Hampton City Schools in 2012, with most recently serving the Kecoughtan High Warriors for the past 10 years as an assistant principal and academy principal. She began her career in education as an English teacher and curriculum support specialist for Travis Unified School District in California. In 2003, she moved to the east coast and served in several administrative positions for Williamsburg-James City County Schools before her move to Hampton.

She earned her bachelor’s in English from Christopher Newport University and her master’s in education from California State University. She furthered her education and earned her doctorate in educational policy, planning, and leadership from William & Mary.

Jones Magnet Middle School welcomes Paulette Townsend and Malachi Wafford to the administrative team serving as assistant principals at the school for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Townsend began her teaching career in Norfolk Public Schools as a social studies teacher in 2007. She joined Hampton City Schools in 2018 as a Civics and Economics teacher at Tarrant Middle School. She has served the past two school years as an assistant principal for Lindsay Middle School. 

Townsend holds a bachelor's degree in political science/pre-law from Norfolk State University, her teaching program certification from Virginia Wesleyan College, a master's in curriculum and instruction from Averett University, and an ED. S. in educational leadership from Liberty University. 

Malachi Wafford began his educational career in Detroit, Michigan teaching fourth through sixth grade before serving as an elementary and middle school teacher and assistant principal in California. He joined Hampton City Schools in 2019 as a fifth grade teacher at Aberdeen. During the 2021-2022 school year, he served in the role of interim assistant administrator at Phoebus High, and for the past two years as a Phoebus academy principal.

 

He has a bachelor’s degree in education from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in educational leadership at Old Dominion University as a part of the HCS Monarch Leadership Cohort.

Joining the Kecoughtan High School administrative team as an academy principal for the 2024-2025 school year is Kimberly Riggs-Poole.

Riggs-Poole served as a Bethel High School academy principal this past year. Prior to Bethel, she was an assistant principal at Tarrant Middle School where she served the Bulldog family 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. 

Dr. Janice Richison will be joining Lindsay Middle School as an assistant principal for the 2024-2025 school year.

Richison began her teaching career in 1992 at the former Davis Middle School (now Tarrant) where she taught gifted math, science and general mathematics. Additionally, she taught at Tarrant Middle School, Jones Magnet Middle School, Lindsay Middle School, and Phenix PreK-8 School. She has served as an assistant principal at Lindsay Middle School, Syms Middle School, and Andrews PreK-8 School. She has served as the science curriculum leader for the past three years.

She earned her bachelor’s in English from Western Washington University and her master’s in education from Hampton University. She furthered her education and received her certificate of advanced studies in educational administration from Old Dominion University and her Ed.D. in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

Phoebus High School welcomes Reginald Crawford to their administrative team as an academy principal for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Crawford has served as a Kecoughtan High School academy principal for the past four years. Additionally, he has been a science teacher at Syms Middle School and Lindsay Middle School as well as an assistant principal at Phenix PreK-8 School. Prior to joining Hampton City Schools he taught in Robeson County, North Carolina; and Northampton County Public Schools.

He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in science from Hampton University and a master’s in administration and supervision from the University of Phoenix.

 

At the June 5, 2024, meeting of the School Board, the Hampton School Board approved the following administrative promotions:

 

New Director of Elementary School Leadership

 

Dr. Kara Plank will serve as the director of elementary school leadership for the 2024-2025 school year, effective July 1, 2024.

 

Dr. Plank started her career with Hampton City Schools in 2006, teaching at Merrimack and Phillips Elementary Schools and then serving as a Title I math coach. She was promoted to the role of assistant principal, working at Burbank, Tyler, and Smith Elementary Schools, before again being promoted to principal in 2017. She has served as principal at Kraft Elementary and most recently at Patrick Elementary.

 

Dr. Plank earned her bachelor’s in sociology from the University of Virginia and both a master's and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Old Dominion University.

 

New Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

 

Dr. Jennifer Thomason will serve as the director of curriculum, instruction and assessment for the 2024-2025 school year, effective July 1, 2024.

 

Dr. Thomason began her teaching career in 2010 with Hampton City Schools teaching at Tarrant Elementary and then Bryan Elementary. She was promoted to digital learning specialist in 2020 and coordinator of innovation and digital learning in 2023.

 

Dr. Thomason earned a bachelor’s and master’s from Old Dominion University as well as an education specialist degree in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech. She returned to Old Dominion University to complete her doctorate in educational leadership.

 

New Health & Physical Education Curriculum Leader

 

Ms. Samantha Demyanyuk will serve as the health & physical education curriculum leader, effective July 1, 2024.

 

Ms. Demyanyuk has served as a health & physical education teacher with Hampton City Schools since 2007 with over 20 years in education. She is currently at the Kilgore Gifted Center.

 

Ms. Demyanyuk has a bachelor’s in exercise/sport science and history from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a master’s in education from Old Dominion University.

 

New Science Curriculum Leader

 

Ms. Elizabeth Goodwyn will serve as the science curriculum leader, effective July 1, 2024.

 

Ms. Goodwyn began her teaching career in Hampton City Schools as a science teacher in 2004 at Davis Middle School (now Tarrant Middle School). She was promoted to assistant principal in 2020 and served at Jones Magnet Middle School and Lindsay Middle School. She is currently an academy principal at Hampton High School.

 

Ms. Goodwyn received a bachelor’s from Christopher Newport University with a major in psychology and elementary education and a minor in biology. She received a master’s in teaching from Grand Canyon University and an educational specialist degree in both administration and leadership and curriculum and instruction from Liberty University.

 

Elementary Principals

 

Dr. Jarad Munroe has been promoted to elementary principal at Phillips Elementary School effective July 1, 2024.

 

Dr. Munroe began his career in education in 2011 with Richmond Public Schools where he served as a middle school social studies teacher. He also served as a social studies teacher and dean of students in Norfolk Public Schools. Dr. Munroe joined Hampton City Schools in 2020 as an assistant principal at Andrews PreK-8 School.

 

Dr. Munroe earned a bachelor’s in social studies with a minor in secondary education from Virginia State University. He earned both a master’s and doctorate in educational leadership from Old Dominion University.

 

Ms. Jasmin Royal has been promoted to elementary principal at Aberdeen Elementary School effective July 1, 2024.

 

Ms. Royal was hired in 2008 as an instructional assistant with Hampton City Schools and was quickly promoted to family engagement specialist where she served at Cary Elementary School (now Mary Christian Elementary School) and Aberdeen Elementary School. She began as a teacher in 2016 and has served as a teacher at both Bassette Elementary and Cooper Elementary Magnet School for Technology. Ms. Royal was promoted to assistant principal at Mary Jackson Fundamental Elementary School in 2021.

 

Ms. Royal has a bachelor’s of interdisciplinary students degree from Old Dominion University and a master’s in education from Liberty University.

At the May 15, 2024, meeting of the School Board, the Hampton School Board approved the following administrative promotions:

New Director of Health Services

Ms. Carrie Battista will serve as the director of health services for the 2024-2025  school year, effective July 1, 2024.

 

Nurse Battista began her journey with Hampton City Schools as the school nurse for Bassette Elementary School in 2015. In 2020, she transitioned to Smith Elementary School before being appointed as the Health Services Supervisor in July 2023. 

She earned her national certification and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University. 

 

New Secondary English Language Arts Curriculum Leader

Ms. Jennifer Butler will serve as the secondary English language arts curriculum leader, effective July 1, 2024. 

Mrs. Butler was hired as an English language arts (ELA) teacher for Kecoughtan High School in 2003. She was promoted to secondary ELA coach in 2014 and to secondary ELA teacher specialist in 2015.  

She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master's in education with a concentration in curriculum & instruction, both from Radford University. She is also a member of the Old Dominion University Leadership Cohort that begins this summer.