It’s official! Howard E. Townsend, IV is now the full-time principal of Jamestown High School. He’s served in an interim capacity at the school since July.
“There is no one better suited to lead the Eagles of Jamestown High School than Mr. Townsend,” shared Dr. Olwen Herron, superintendent of WJCC Schools. “As an instructional leader, he has high expectations for students and staff. Just as important, he is eager to build the relationships and dedicate the time and resources to help each person be successful.”
“This is a dream come true,” Townsend said. “Jamestown has always held a special place in my heart. This is where I completed my student teaching and where I began my career as an English teacher and coach back in 1998.”
While Townsend credits the school for giving him a strong foundation as an educator, he is quite literally part of the school’s foundation as well.
“One day, as a William and Mary student, I was running through the neighborhood when I saw that the construction crew had recently poured concrete for the school.” He explained. “I ran over and wrote my initials in the wet pavement. You might say I cemented my relationship with this school and community right then and there.”
Townsend’s appointment as principal of Jamestown High School is effective immediately. In addition to being the interim principal, Townsend has also served as an assistant principal at Jamestown and Lafayette high schools, as a middle school English curriculum leader and as a middle school administrative intern in WJCC Schools. For a brief time, Townsend also worked as an assessment and compliance coordinator for York County Schools.
Townsend holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a master’s in educational leadership from the College of William and Mary. He is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership at William and Mary.
“I am passionate about continuous learning. We should always be looking for opportunities to learn and to grow; to set goals and to pursue excellence,” Townsend said. “Modeling that for our young people while encouraging and supporting them to do the same is at the heart of who I am and the work I will do as principal.”
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