Richmond Public Schools welcomed one new principal and five new interim principals with the start of a new school year and Superintendent Jason Kamras used his daily newsletter, RPS Direct, to give each of the appointees a brief introduction last Thursday.

Dr. Timothy Vaughn, Thomas C. Boushall Middle School’s new principal, most recently was as an administrator in Texas, and his move to RPS marks the start of his 18th year as an educator.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in English education from Kentucky State University and a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Dayton in Ohio, as well as having earned his doctorate in educational leadership at Ohio’s Miami University.

Christopher Jacobs was named interim principal at Dogwood Middle School. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business adminis- tration from James Madison University and worked for more than 15 years in business management and customer service before making a career change. Mr. Jacobs began teaching mathematics at Broad Rock Elementary School and Albert Hill Middle School before earning his master’s in educational leadership and supervision from Averett University. He most recently was assistant principal at Albert Hill Middle School.

Kelly Carter is the new interim principal at Armstrong High School. She began her 23-year career with RPS as a business teacher at John Marshall High School and Elkhardt Middle School, before serving as an academic coordinator, assistant principal and deputy principal at Armstrong High School. She earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Virginia State University, and a master’s in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr. Michael Massa is the new interim principal at Huguenot High School, where he is known as “Dr. M.” The proud educator earned all of his degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and has served as a school administrator for more than 12 years, including five years as a high school principal.

Dr. Blair Smoak is the interim principal at Richmond Alternative School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in education from Virginia State University. He also was awarded a post master’s degree in school leadership from The George Washington University and a doctorate in district leadership from Bowie State University.

Crystal Potee is the interim principal at Thomas Jefferson High School. She graduated from George Wythe High School (now Richmond High School for the Arts) and holds a bachelor’s in English and a master’s in educational administration from Old Dominion University. Ms. Potee started as an English teacher at Thomas C. Boushall Middle School in 2000. After 12 years, she moved into administration and served as an assistant principal at both Franklin Military Academy and Thomas Jefferson High School.

Superintendent Kamras encouraged the RPS community to welcome these new school leaders and to keep an eye out for messages about future in-person meet-and-greet opportunities.