After a career in education spanning three decades, 12 of which were in Albemarle County Public Schools, Darah Bonham has stepped down from his role as principal of Albemarle High School.
Now, Damean Barfield is stepping up to take the helm of the largest school in the division with nearly 2,000 students.
His arrival comes after a school year marked by an uptick in student violence and teacher frustration at Albemarle High as the school, and society, readapt to life after COVID and social-distancing.
Hailing from Essex High School in Tappahannock, Barfield has focused on improving teachers’ success and morale as well as relationships among staff, students and families throughout his tenure in high school administrations.
“It’s important to me to create an environment in which students, staff and families can work together to emphasize and support students’ abilities to learn and grow in all aspects of school,” said Barfield in a statement. “We have to work together to ensure that all of our students have the opportunity to thrive.”
Prior to assuming his first principal position at Essex, Barfield spent 15 years serving as an assistant principal at various high schools in the Richmond area. He started out as a health and physical education teacher in 1999 after graduating with a master’s in education from Virginia Commonwealth University.
“I believe the breadth of Mr. Barfield’s experience as a high school principal and assistant principal will be invaluable to the community at AHS,” said Albemarle County Assistant Superintendent for Organizational Development Clare Keiser in a statement. “We are excited for the new and innovative ideas that Mr. Barfield will bring to ACPS.”
Barfield will begin to transition into his new job in the coming weeks as Bonham shows him the ropes before the latter moves into a different role as safety and security coordinator for the school division.
In an email sent to the Albemarle High School community on June 7, Bonham announced the change in leadership and reflected on his time at the high school. His tenure was not without its challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, two large-scale brawls as well as other episodes involving students’ aggressive behavior.
“I also must acknowledge that the transition does not come without some heartfelt emotions. My passion has always centered around trying to better the lives of young people,” reads Bonham’s email. “AHS is an amazing place and I cherish the relationships I have formed with students, staff, and families in the five years I’ve been at the school.”
Source: www.dailyprogress.com