Mrs. Carolyn Bernard, Principal

 In her 40th year with Chesapeake Public Schools, Ms. Bernard proudly leads the Grassfield High School Community of Excellence. She began serving the students of Chesapeake in 1971, when she graduated from East Carolina University and returned to her alma mater, Great Bridge High School. She taught government there for 20 years, and was recognized for her teaching skill and expertise in 1981, when she was selected as the Chesapeake Teacher of the Year.
    Earning graduate degrees from both Old Dominion University and The George Washington University, Ms. Bernard emerged from the classroom in 1991 to help lead the school division in its quest for excellence. Ms. Bernard served as assistant principal at Great Bridge Middle School, assistant principal for instruction at Great Bridge High School, principal of Crestwood Middle School and principal at Great Bridge High School. In 2005, Ms. Bernard was selected to plan and open the new, state-of-the-art Grassfield High School. Her proudest and most challenging achievement was realized when the school opened its doors for the first time in the fall of 2007.  Now in her 5th year at Grassfield, “Mama Griz” has led the Grizzlies to be recognized as one of the leading schools in the commonwealth.
    Ms. Bernard is very active in the Chesapeake community, serving as a member and past president of the Women’s Division, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, she has served on the Board of Directors for the Chesapeake Free Care Clinic, the Hampton Roads Children’s Resources Board and the Chesapeake branch of the YMCA. She was named Outstanding Woman of the Year in 1997 and First Citizen of Chesapeake in 1999.
In 2007, Ms. Bernard was honored as the recipient of the W. Randolph Nichols’ Service Above Self Award.  In 2009 she was recognized as the  Administrator of the Year by the Virginia Student Council Association.   Ms. Bernard currently serves as President of the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals and is a board member for the Virginia Foundation of Educational Leadership. 
    Ms. Bernard has two children, Laura Ann and Michael, both of whom are educators, continuing their mother’s legacy of dedication to the children of Chesapeake.

 

Ms. Alaina Trott, Assistant Principal for Instruction

 

Ms. Alaina Trott

Ms. Trott is very excited to return to the Grassfield community, as she embarks on a decade of service in Chesapeake Public Schools. Ms. Trott earned both her Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science in Education degree from Old Dominion University. She also holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in K-12 School Leadership and is currently completing her Doctorate in Education at Regent University.

 

Ms. Trott began her career in public education as a school counselor at Hugo Owens Middle School in 2002. She is now entering her fourth year in administration, with previous appointments at Grassfield High School, Deep Creek High School, and Hickory High School. In her role as Assistant Principal for Instruction (API), Ms. Trott coordinates and monitors the academic program to include curriculum, instruction, assessment, data analysis, remediation, scheduling, staff development, staffing, honor code, and academic recognitions.

 

Ms. Trott is an avid sports enthusiast, and plays co-ed flag football and softball. She is the proud mother of two children, Jasmyn and Jayden, who are also year-round athletes. Ms. Trott firmly believes in providing the same high-quality education for her students as she would expect for her own children. Under that premise, she is committed to assisting EVERY student in achieving his/her personal and academic goals, so together, WE can continue to build Communities of Excellence throughout the world!


 

Mr. Grant Stanley, 11th Grade Assistant Principal

Mr. Grant StanleyMr. Stanley is in his twenty first year as an educator, all which has been with Chesapeake Public Schools. He started his career as a teacher at Indian River High School, where he served 5 years. He was also on the football coaching staff while at Indian River High. Mr. Stanley then had the opportunity to become a “Brave Tiger”, where he did a split position between Indian River and what was then the New Oscar Smith. In 1996, after one year of being a “Brave Tiger”, Mr. Stanley had yet another opportunity. This time it was to become a “First Hawk” at Hickory High School. Mr. Stanley served at Hickory High for eleven years, four as a teacher and seven as an Assistant Principal. When Grassfield High opened in 2007, Mr. Stanley felt very fortunate to be selected to be on the administrative team. Mr. Stanley has been an administrator for Chesapeake Public Schools since 2000.

Mr. Stanley is a 1986 graduate of Smithfield High School in Smithfield, Virginia. Mr. Stanley earned both his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and his Master of Science in Education from Old Dominion University. Mr. Stanley again continued with his education at ODU to earn his Certification in Public School Administration. Mr. Stanley is a true Big Blue fan. Go Monarchs!

Mr. Stanley lives in Chesapeake with his wife Kim and two sons, Chase and Colby. Mr. Stanley is invested in Chesapeake Public School – his wife is also an educator in the school system and his sons are enrolled in Chesapeake Public Schools.

Mr. Stanley is proud to be a Grizzly and sport the colors Red, White and Blue.
 

Mr. Quentin Hicks, 12th Grade Assistant Principal

Mr. Hicks is a 1991 graduate of Great Bridge High School. After graduating from Great Bridge High he received a B.A. degree in History Political Science Education from Virginia Union University and a M.A. from Regent University in Educational Administration.

Mr. Hicks is entering his twelfth year as an educator with the Chesapeake Public Schools. He taught social studies for one year at Great Bridge High School and for 4 years at Hickory High School. He became an Assistant Principal in 2002 and has served in this capacity for three years at Hickory High School, two years at Western Branch High School and currently at Grassfield High School.

Mr. Hicks is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., an ordained deacon at his home church and a member of various choral groups and civic organizations within the Hampton Roads region. His hobbies include singing, directing (choral music) relaxing, motivational speaking, spending time with his family and watching college football and basketball.

Mr. Hicks is proud to be a part of the Grassfield Family and is committed to the school’s theme of "Building a Community of Excellence".

 

 

Mrs. Anna Helmer, 10th Grade Assistant Principal

 Mrs. Helmer is excited to join the Grizzlies, as she begins her 17th year with Chesapeake Public Schools. She earned both her Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science in Education degree from Old Dominion University. 

Mrs. Helmer began her career in public education as a teacher in Fairfax County in 1994.  The following year she moved to Chesapeake and started teaching at Western Branch High School.  While at Western Branch Mrs. Helmer served as the junior class sponsor and as the CTE Department Head.  Mrs. Helmer was also the advisor of the WBHS yearbook for 7 years.  Mrs. Helmer left Western Branch to become the Supervisor for Career and Technical Education in 2005.  In 2008, she took on the role as the Educational Foundation Administrator for the Chesapeake Public Schools Educational Foundation.  Entering her seventh year in administration, Mrs. Helmer is beginning her role at Grassfield as the Administrator for 10th grade.

Mrs. Helmer is married to her husband Eric and is the mother of two daughters, Alexis and Caroline.  When not at school, she is usually at a practice or softball game for one of her girls.  

Mr. Brian Haughinberry , 9th Grade Assistant Principal

Brian Haughinberry is beginning his sixteenth year with Chesapeake Public Schools.  He received a B.A. in Communications from Glassboro State College in Glassboro, New Jersey, a B.S. in Health and Physical Education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and an M.A. in Administration from Cambridge College.  He began his teaching career at Crestwood Middle School where he served as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and department head.  He also held coaching positions at Deep Creek High School, Great Bridge High School, and Hickory High School. Prior to coming to Grassfield, he was the Athletic Director at Great Bridge High School.  He was hired to come to Grassfield High School prior to its opening to help develop the athletic program as the school’s first Athletic Director, a position he held during the school’s first year.  Mr. Haughinberry became an Assistant Principal in 2008-09 and currently remains in that position.  He lives in Chesapeake with Donna, his wife of 30 years, and has three children - Katelyn, Brian, and Matthew - all of whom are graduates of the Chesapeake Public School System.

 

 

 

 

"Working Together To Build A Community Of Excellence";