Great Bridge Middle School has begun the process to rename a courtyard on the Great Bridge Middle campus in honor of Mr. Craig Mills.
About Mr. Craig Mills
Mr. Mills began his career with Chesapeake Public Schools in 1975, when he was hired to serve as the Band Director at Great Bridge Junior High (Great Bridge Junior High is no longer an active school site. It currently serves as an administrative office building for the district and hosts Adult Education and SECEP). During his tenure at Great Bridge Junior High School, he formed and directed the first Symphonic Band. In a Virginian-Pilot article published on June 9, 1996, Mr. Mills shared
“I don’t think musical knowledge was the reason I was successful,” he said. “You have to be able to understand the age. You have to be able to motivate the youngsters.” Mills said he responded to the child side of their personalities by trying to be a good listener. In class, before school, after school. When they would stand in his office door, just wanting to be noticed. “Sometimes,” he said, “they just wanted to be paid attention.”
In a February 2022 Wildcat Chat Pawdcast episode, Mr. Mills revealed that every job he served within the district was on Battlefield Boulevard. After 16 years as a teacher, Mr. Mills left the Great Bridge community to serve as the assistant principal, and later principal, at B.M. Williams Primary. He was thankful when district administrators asked him to “come back home” in 2010 to serve as the principal of Great Bridge Middle School, a role he served with tradition and pride for twelve years.
“I’ve made a difference in a quiet way just by doing my job and doing it well and people thought enough of me to promote me to be principal of this school.” – Mr. Craig Mills
Request for Community Feedback
Current Great Bridge Middle Principal, Mrs. Heather Martin, is leading the effort to honor the 47 years of dedicated service of Mr. Craig Mills and his many contributions to Great Bridge Middle School. The school is conducted a community survey to solicit feedback on naming the Great Bridge Middle School courtyard (located off of the school cafeteria) in honor of Mr. Mills. The survey was open to the public May 3 – 10, 2023.
“Mr. Craig K. Mills has been a pillar in the Great Bridge community for decades, first as a band teacher for 16 years, and then as the building principal for 12 years. He dedicated much of his life to the students, faculty, and community stakeholders which is why he is so deserving of this honor.” – Mrs. Heather Martin
Mr. Craig Mills’ Career in Chesapeake Public Schools
Mr. Mills retired after 47 years of service to Chesapeake Public Schools.
- 1975-1991 Teacher (Band) Great Bridge Junior High (16 years)
- 1991-1996 Assistant Principal, B.M. Williams Primary (5 years)
- 1996-2010 Principal, B.M. Williams Primary (14 years)
- 2010-2022 Principal, Great Bridge Middle (12 years)