Dr. Melissa T. Goodwin will serve as Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Goodwin has 23 years’ experience in education, 19 of which have been served in Chesapeake. Her instructional expertise has been developed through her experience as a classroom teacher, a curriculum coordinator, and her current role as Supervisor of English Language Arts. Dr. Goodwin is “excited to serve Chesapeake Public Schools and our community in this capacity. As a parent of a Chesapeake Public Schools student as well as an employee, I look forward to continuing to build on the solid foundation established in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction through collaborative efforts that benefit the amazing instructional experiences our students receive in their classrooms each day.”

Dr. Barry C. Brown will be the new principal of Deep Creek Central Elementary. He has 27 years of career experience with 26 of those years served in Chesapeake. Dr. Brown is currently the principal of Crestwood Middle. He brings experience as a Special Education teacher and over 20 years as a school administrator. He is looking forward to proudly wearing purple when he returns to serve the Deep Creek community.

Dr. Heather Brusso will be the new Principal of G.W. Carver Intermediate. She has 22 years of experience, all in Chesapeake elementary schools. Dr. Brusso has proudly served as the Portlock Primary principal for the past 3 years. Dr. Brusso is excited for this opportunity to continue to work with young Tigers as they continue their academic growth at the next level!

Mrs. Leigha H. Canterbury has been named principal of Deep Creek Elementary.  Mrs. Canterbury has 20 years of experience in education and is finishing her second year with the principal of G.W. Carver Intermediate. Although she will miss her Carver family, she is excited to return to Deep Creek Elementary. Mrs. Canterbury shares that this is a “career full-circle moment” and she feels so fortunate for this opportunity to serve as principal in the school where she began her career in Chesapeake Public Schools.

Dr. Michelle A. Ferebee will be the new principal of Crestwood Middle School. Dr. Ferebee has been with Chesapeake Public Schools for 32 years. As a product of the Chesapeake Public Schools System, Dr. Ferebee finds it an honor to serve in the city where she grew up. Dr. Ferebee has been an intermediate grade level teacher, a middle school English teacher, a Title I Instructional Specialist, a high school assistant principal, and an elementary school principal. Currently, she is the proud principal of Deep Creek Elementary School. She is grateful to the Super Hornets for immediately embracing her and allowing her to lead in the hive. Dr. Ferebee will now soar with the Fearless Falcons of Crestwood Middle School. She is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with all stakeholders to produce the most highly effective middle schoolers in the district of Chesapeake.

Mr. Wade P. Sloan was appointed principal of Portlock Primary. Mr. Sloan is completing his 22nd year in education and his 17th in Chesapeake. He has spent his career in the elementary school setting, having served as both a teacher and an assistant principal. He is grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve and lead Portlock Primary as principal, his home as assistant principal for the last 2 years!

Ms. Jessica Joyner , the new Assistant Director of Exceptional Learning, is looking forward to joining the CPS family.  In her 16 years of professional experience, she has served as a behavior specialist, a special education teacher, and currently serves Suffolk Public Schools as their Coordinator of Instruction for Special Education. Ms. Joyner is deeply committed to creating opportunities for all children and is eager to work with colleagues in our Exceptional Learning Department to support students, families, and staff in this new role in the district.