2024 Administrative Appointments

October 2024

The School Board of Chesapeake Public Schools approved Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton’s recommendation at the October 7, 2024, School Board meeting to appoint the following individuals to new roles within the district.

Charity W. Zellmer, from budget development coordinator, Virginia Beach City Public Schools, to director of budget, School Administration Building (see Educator Profile below)

Jennifer L. Sagendorf, from assistant principal, Butts Road Intermediate, to interim principal, Thurgood Marshall Elementary (see Educator Profile below)

Dr. Michael J. Mustain, from retired principal, to interim assistant principal, Butts Road Intermediate

Ms. Charity W. Zellmer

Charity Zellmer will be the new director of budget.

Ms. Charity W. Zellmer will be the new director of budget. Ms. Zellmer has 23 years of career experience, all served in Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS). In her current role as a budget development coordinator, she has helped shape and oversee the VBCPS Operating Budget, playing a key role in its financial planning. She is “looking forward to supporting educational excellence and the Chesapeake Public Schools’ strategic plan in the Department of Budget.”

Jenn Sagendorf

Jennifer Sagendorf will serve as interim principal of Thurgood Marshall Elementary.

Jennifer Sagendorf will serve as interim principal of Thurgood Marshall Elementary (TME). Mrs. Sagendorf has 27 years of career experience in education. She has served as a teacher, an instructional technology coach, and a Title I instructional specialist. She is currently an assistant principal at Butts Road Intermediate. Mrs. Sagendorf is excited for this opportunity to work with the staff at Thurgood Marshall to support and empower TME students and families!

September 2024

The School Board of Chesapeake Public Schools approved Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton’s recommendation at the September 23, 2024, School Board meeting to appoint the following individuals to new roles within the district.

Sharon Popson, from retired principal, to interim assistant principal, Chesapeake Center for Student Success

The School Board of Chesapeake Public Schools approved Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton’s recommendation at the September 9, 2024, School Board meeting to appoint the following individuals to new roles within the district.

Dr. Dornswalo Wilkins-McCorey, gifted coordinator, Virginia Beach City Public Schools, to supervisor of gifted education, School Administration Building

August 2024

The School Board of Chesapeake Public Schools approved Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton’s recommendation at the August 12, 2024, School Board meeting to appoint the following individuals to new roles within the district.

Mr. Alexander J. Pope, planner, School Administration Building, to interim administrator of planning, School Administration Building

Mr. Kristopher S. Gillgren, assistant principal, Oscar Smith Middle, to assistant principal, Hugo Owens Middle

The following individual were selected to fill assistant principal 1 positions for the 2024-2025 school year. These appointments do not require Board action.

Mrs. Sonja H. Stevens, Title I instructional coach, Oscar Smith Middle, to assistant principal 1, Grassfield High

Ms. Courtney B. Stukes, school counselor, Hugo Owens Middle, to assistant principal 1, Oscar Smith Middle

July 2024

The School Board of Chesapeake Public Schools approved Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton’s recommendation at the July 8, 2024, School Board meeting to appoint the following individuals to new roles within the district.

Dr. V. Marie Finnegan-Copen, literacy specialist, Virginia Beach City Public Schools, to supervisor of English language arts, School Administration Building

Dr. Karitta A. Page, dean of students, Suffolk Public Schools, to assistant principal, Deep Creek Middle School

The following individual was selected to fill an assistant principal 1 position for the 2024-2025 school year. This appointment does not require Board action.

Mrs. Kristin M. Key, teacher, Deep Creek High, to assistant principal 1, Great Bridge High

June 2024

The School Board of Chesapeake Public Schools approved Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton’s recommendation at the June 24, 2024, School Board meeting to appoint the following individuals to new roles within the district.

Dr. Anaya Bryson-Williams, assistant principal, Fairfax County Public Schools, to supervisor of assessment, School Administration Building (start July 1, 2024)

Mrs. Edie L. Rogan, director of employee relations, Virginia Beach City Public Schools, to assistant director of human resources, employee relations, School Administration Building (start July 15, 2024)

The School Board of Chesapeake Public Schools approved Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton’s recommendation at the June 10, 2024, School Board meeting to appoint the following individuals to new roles within the district starting July 1, 2024.

Mrs. Melissa H. Glod, interim chief financial officer, School Administration Building, to chief financial officer, School Administration Building (see Educator Profile below)

Mr. G. Thomas Coker, Jr., assistant principal, Virginia Beach Public Schools, to assistant director of technology innovation and integration, Educational Services Center

Mrs. Michelle L. Smith, coordinator of transportation, Great Bridge Boulevard Complex, to assistant director of pupil transportation, Great Bridge Boulevard Complex

The following individual served as a first-year administrator during the 2023-2024 school year and will remain at the current location for the 2024-2025 school year. Board action is requested for this administrative appointment.

Mrs. Tara B. Birchfield, special education administrator, Edwards Wilson Center

The following individual was selected to fill an assistant principal 1 position for the 2024-2025 school year.  This appointment does not require Board action.

Mrs. Naiyhani C. Battle, teacher, Deep Creek Elementary, to assistant principal 1, Georgetown Primary

May 2024

The School Board of Chesapeake Public Schools approved Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton’s recommendation at the May 20, 2024, School Board meeting to appoint the following individuals to new roles within the district starting July 1, 2024.

Ms. Amy Curling, technology services manager, Instructional Services Center, to assistant director of technology support and user experience, Instructional Services Center

Mr. Scott C. Cassin, supervisor of student support and non-traditional programs, Williamsburg-James City County Schools, to supervisor of student enrollment, School Administration Building

Mr. Steven L. Carter, assistant principal, Hickory High, to assistant principal, Great Bridge High

Mrs. Serene S. Cherian, assistant principal, Grassfield Elementary, to assistant principal, Jolliff Middle

Mrs. Tara L. Culpepper, assistant principal, Deep Creek Central Elementary, to assistant principal, Georgetown Primary

Dr. Julie B. Dashiell, assistant principal, Cedar Road Elementary, to assistant principal, Deep Creek Central Elementary

Ms. Kimberly M. Epps, assistant principal, Greenbrier Primary, to assistant principal, Deep Creek Elementary

Mrs. Dawn B. Johnson, assistant principal, Indian River Middle, to assistant principal, Southwestern Elementary

Ms. Krisa L. Mitchell, assistant principal, Crestwood Middle, to assistant principal, Indian River Middle

Mrs. Ashley L. Nolette, assistant principal, Georgetown Primary, to assistant principal, Camelot Elementary

Dr. Callie A. Ream, assistant principal, Southwestern Elementary, to assistant principal, Portlock Primary

Mrs. Felicita A. Rhodes, assistant principal 1, Truitt Intermediate, to assistant principal, Greenbrier Primary

Mr. Casey C. Smith, assistant principal 1, Chesapeake Center for Success, to assistant principal, Crestwood Middle

Mr. Merlin C. Vaughan, assistant principal, Great Bridge Intermediate, to assistant principal, Chesapeake Center for Student Success

Dr. Carter B. Youmans, assistant principal, Deep Creek Elementary, to assistant principal, Great Bridge Middle

The following individuals served as first-year administrators during the 2023-2024 school year and will remain at their current locations for the 2024-2025 school year.  Board action is requested for these administrative appointments.

Mrs. Ashley M. Carter, assistant principal, Grassfield Elementary

Mrs. Chanel R. Davis-Mitchell, assistant principal, E. W. Chittum Elementary

Mrs. Natasha R. Halsey-Holland, assistant principal, Indian River High

Mrs. Trisha G. Harris, assistant principal, Norfolk Highlands Primary

Mrs. Heather G. Ott, assistant principal, Grassfield High

Mr. Anthony H. Otter, assistant principal, Thurgood Marshall Elementary

Mrs. Tina W. Salmon, assistant principal, Oscar Smith High

Dr. Karen A. Sweeney, assistant principal, Butts Road Primary

Ms. Sheena M. Thomas, assistant principal, Great Bridge High

Mr. Shane C. Underwood, assistant principal, Deep Creek High

Mrs. Lyndsey T. Walker, special education administrator, Edwards Wilson Center

The following individuals were selected to fill assistant principal 1 positions for the 2024-2025 school year.  These appointments do not require Board action.

Mrs. Tara H. Amrozowicz, teacher, Greenbrier Intermediate, to assistant principal 1, Great Bridge Intermediate

Mrs. Shamika M. Dedeaux, Title 1 instructional coach to assistant principal 1, Truitt Intermediate

Ms. Daphne T. Fulson, teacher, Portlock Primary, to assistant principal 1, Cedar Road Elementary

Mr. Christopher J. Giddis, technology innovation coach, Great Bridge High, to assistant principal 1, Hickory High

Mrs. Danielle A. Green, teacher, Southwestern Elementary, to assistant principal 1, Grassfield Elementary

The following individuals were selected to fill administrative specialist positions for the 2024-2025 school year.  These appointments do not require Board action.

Mrs. Ashley A. Gurkin, Title 1 instructional coach to administrative specialist, Georgetown Primary

Mrs. Elizabeth P. Lobeck-Mosier, teacher, Cedar Road Elementary, to administrative specialist, Southeastern Elementary

Dr. Krystal Moore, Title 1 instructional coach to administrative specialist, Crestwood Intermediate

Ms. Ciara D. Pervall, CTE work-based learning coordinator, Center for Teaching and Learning, to administrative specialist, E. W. Chittum Elementary

Mrs. Elizabeth W. Phelps, Title 1 instructional coach to administrative specialist, Grassfield Elementary

Mrs. Brittany L. Westerman, teacher, Cedar Road Elementary, to administrative specialist, Cedar Road Elementary

The School Board of Chesapeake Public Schools approved Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton’s recommendation at the May 6, 2024, School Board meeting to appoint the following individuals to new roles within the district starting July 1, 2024.

Dr. Melissa T. Goodwin, from supervisor of English Language Arts, Center for Teaching and Learning, to director of curriculum and instruction, Center for Teaching and Learning. (see Educator Profile below)

Dr. Barry C. Brown, from principal, Crestwood Middle, to principal, Deep Creek Central Elementary. (see Educator Profile below)

Dr. Heather A. Brusso, from principal, Portlock Primary, to principal, G.W. Carver Intermediate. (see Educator Profile below)

Mrs. Leigha H. Canterbury, from principal, G.W. Carver Intermediate, to principal, Deep Creek Elementary. (see Educator Profile below)

Dr. Michelle A. Ferebee, from principal, Deep Creek Elementary, to principal, Crestwood Middle. (see Educator Profile below)

Mr. Wade P. Sloan, from assistant principal, Portlock Primary, to principal, Portlock Primary. (see Educator Profile below)

Ms. Jessica Joyner, from coordinator of instruction for special education, Suffolk Public Schools, to assistant director of exceptional learning, Edwards Wilson Center. (see Educator Profile below)

The following appointments were also approved during the May 6, 2024, School Board meeting:

Mrs. Rachel N. Haywood, from digital media specialist, School Administration Building, to supervisor of communications, School Administration Building.

April 2024

The School Board of Chesapeake Public Schools approved Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton’s recommendation at the April 15, 2024, School Board meeting to appoint the following individuals to new roles within the district.

Mr. Anthony W. Hinds, from purchasing manager, Suffolk Public Schools, to director of new construction, School Administration Building, effective June 1, 2024. (see Educator Profile below)

Mr. Orion J. Burke, from teacher, Crestwood Middle, to supervisor of music, Center for Teaching and Learning, effective July 1, 2024.

March 2024

The School Board of Chesapeake Public Schools approved Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton’s recommendation at the March 25, 2024, School Board meeting to appoint the following individuals to new roles within the district starting July 1, 2024.

Ms. Towanda L. Shirley, director of special education, Suffolk Public Schools, to director of exceptional learning, Edwards Wilson Center. (see Educator Profile below)

Mr. Chad D. Triolet, assistant principal, Jolliff Middle, to principal, Sparrow Road Intermediate. (see Educator Profile below)

Mrs. Yolanda S. Vaughn, assistant principal, Camelot Elementary, to principal, Camelot Elementary. (see Educator Profile below)

The School Board of Chesapeake Public Schools approved Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton’s recommendation at the March 11, 2024, School Board meeting to appoint the following individual to a new role within the district:

Mrs. Melissa H. Glod, director of budget, School Administration Building, to interim chief financial officer, School Administration Building, effective April 1, 2024.

February 2024

The School Board of Chesapeake Public Schools approved Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton’s recommendation at the February 26, 2024, School Board meeting to appoint the following individual to a new role within the district:

Mrs. Shannon H. Filer, from Area Vice President of Business Development, Amedisys Home Care, to Program Administrator of Health Services, Edwards Wilson Center. (see Educator Profile for February 26, below)