Principal
Email Dr. Derrell Joppy

Dr. Derrell A. Joppy has 29 years of experience with Chesapeake Public Schools. Prior to his appointment as principal of Hugo A.Owens Middle School, Dr. Joppy served as an Employee Relations Administrator in Human Resources. Additionally, he served as an assistant principal at Indian River High School and Hickory High School. Prior to that, Dr. Joppy was a special education teacher at Indian River High School. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the principal position. Dr. Joppy earned an Education Specialist degree from The George Washington University, a Master of Arts in Special Education from Norfolk State University and a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Norfolk State University. Most recently, Dr. Joppy earned a Doctorate degree in Education from Regent University. Dr. Derrell Joppy serves as president of Arts Alive! Chesapeake and is a member of Virginia Association Of School Personnel Administrators.

8th Grade Assistant Principal
Email Ms. Chrystal Ueltschi

Ms. Chrystal Ueltschi is a Norfolk native who graduated from Booker T. Washington high school in 1989. She continued her education by earning a B.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 1996 and a Masters of Education in 1997 from Old Dominion University. In 2016, Ms. Ueltschi earned a second Masters of Education with an endorsement in K-12 Administration and Supervision. 

Ms. Ueltschi began her teaching career as a 7th grade Life Science teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools. Ms. Ueltschi eventually taught 7th grade Life science, 8th grade physical science, Math 7, and Math 8 over the course of her time in the classroom. In 2011, she became an Instructional Resource Technology Teacher and helped teachers and staff implement the use of instructional technology in her middle school. In 2016, she began her role in leadership in Fairfax County Public Schools as an instructional coach/test coordinator. In July 2022, she joined Chesapeake Public Schools and is the proud 6th grade assistant principal at Hugo Owens Middle School.  

In her spare time, she enjoys time at the beach, gardening, volunteering with a cat rescue, and spending time with her 2 sons, daughter, and local family.  

7th Grade Assistant Principal
Email Mr. Kris Gillgren

Mr. Kris Gillgren is a Chesapeake native who graduated from Oscar F. Smith High School.  He comes to Hugo with over 25 years of experience in education.  He earned his B.S. degree from Virginia Tech in 1996 and then continued his studies at Radford University where his earned a M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction in 1999.  Mr. Gillgren began his teaching career in Japan and has taught in high school, middle school, and elementary school.  He is certified in Virginia in Middle Education grades 5th through 8th.  For the majority of his career he specialized in teaching math and science.  

Mr. Gillgren continued his education at Liberty University and earned his Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and Administration in 2018.  He completed the Leadership Academy for Potential Principals in Suffolk Public Schools in the fall of 2019 and has served as an Assistant Principal in Franklin City Public Schools as well as Oscar Smith Middle School, after joining Chesapeake Public Schools in 2022.  He is excited to join the Mustang family where he will serve as the 7th grade Assistant Principal.

In his spare time, Mr. Gillgren enjoys camping, off-roading, hiking, and spending time with his wife and two daughters.

6th Grade Assistant Principal
Email Ms. Wendy Jennings Chatman

Ms. Wendy Jennings Chatman is a Class of 88 graduate from Deep Creek High School. She attended Norfolk State University as an Undergrad, Averett and The George Washington University for her Masters. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Inc. and works with her classmates on community projects throughout the Deep Creek Community. She has 3 children and one grand baby.

Ms. Chatman has been in education for twenty-eight years, where she has spent twenty-four of those years in Chesapeake. She has found that developing good relationships with students, staff and parents has been a big part of her success. As an administrator she hopes to lead students to their highest potential, by first setting the example, being transparent, providing necessary resources and enjoying the journey. She serves as the 6th grade administrator at Hugo Owens Middle.