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Our Schools

Offices

Assistant Principals

Administrative Team:

Our Administrative Team has well over 110 years of experience in Education. They have served in many capacities including: 

  • Director of Instructional Services

  • Principal

  • Assistant Principal 

  • Instructional Coach

  • Department Chair

  • Academic Coordinator

  • Teachers of: History, CTE, SPED, English

  • Instructional Compliance Coordinator

  • Coaching and Sponsoring

They are well-versed in the dynamics of leading an urban school!

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - KARA LANCASTER-GAY

AP Kara Lancaster-Gay is an alumna of Richmond Public Schools, honored to have served as speech-language pathologist, general and exceptional education classroom teacher, compliance coordinator, reading interventionist, and administrator at the preschool, elementary, middle, and high school levels.  

She is passionate about propelling student success through high expectations, high-quality instructional practice, encouragement, and servant leadership.  Her enthusiasm is energized by  compassion, common vision, community, and commitment to disrupt low expectations with inspiration, motivation,  and love shown in every interaction.  Her career, faith-based, civic, and organizational interests are all interwoven to be a true champion for children and their bright futures.

#literacy #commUNITY #socialjusticeandadvocacy #urbaneducation #healthequity  #HopeDealer #BLM #outreach #excellence #lifelonglearning #WINspiration #teamwork #BlackHistory #honorthelegacyengagethedestiny  #growthmindset #workisanounandaverb #buildingandsustainingrelationships #servantleadership #foodie #bereadybetherebeGREAT #strongfaith

Email:  klancast@rvaschools.net

 

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - Darian Bell 

 

Bio:

Mr. Darian Bell is in year 33 of educational instruction. Mr. Bell graduated from Elizabeth City State University with a degree in Health and Physical Education. He furthered his studies by receiving a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Cambridge College. Mr. Bell has taught Exceptional Education in Southampton County, Health and Physical Education in Franklin City, Advanced Physical Education in Sussex County and Adaptive Physical Education in Northern Virginia. He has coached Football, Track, Wrestling and Girl’s Basketball. Mr. Bell has gone on to become an Assistant Principal and then a Principal at Southampton Middle School for several years. He is presently an Associate Principal at Armstrong High School. His focus is and always has been to provide a positive fair educational environment for students, teachers and parents. 

Interests:

#PE #Education #Football #Track #Wrestling #Basketball #FamilyEngagement

Email:

Dbell2@rvaschools.net

 

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL -  DR. TESS SHORT

 

With 24 years of experience in education, Dr. Tess Short brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her new role as assistant principal. Her extensive career spans rural, urban, and suburban school districts across Virginia, where she has served as a teacher, school counselor, educational manager, and instructional specialist.

Dr. Short previously held the position of Lead School Counselor at Richmond School for the Arts. Her exemplary service has earned her numerous awards, most notably being named School Counselor of the Year in 2016 by both the Virginia School Counselor Association (VSCA) and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). This prestigious recognition provided her the honor of meeting Former First Lady Michelle Obama at a celebration at the White House.

Outside of her professional commitments, Dr. Short enjoys traveling, shopping, and spending quality time with her family and friends. She is a proud owner of a boxer dog named Maxx. Guided by her favorite quote, "Love what you do and do what you love," Dr. Short is deeply passionate about helping students achieve their full potential. Her unwavering dedication to fostering a positive and supportive educational environment underscores her commitment to making a lasting impact in her new role as assistant principal.

Interests include:

#Education #School Counseling #Traveling #Shopping #Family #Friends #Pets

Email:

tshort2@rvaschools.net