There is a moment from her days as a principal that Dr. Michele Mitchell holds onto, a story that serves as a compass for her leadership. A former student, one who had faced persistent challenges throughout her school years, returned to the district not as a visitor, but as a newly hired teacher. In a quiet moment, she reminded Dr. Mitchell of something profound: “You never gave up on me even when I gave up on myself.”
That single sentence encapsulates the philosophy that has guided Dr. Mitchell through a remarkable 30-year tenure in Newport News Public Schools (NNPS), a journey that has taken her from a first-year teacher to the superintendent’s office. It is a philosophy grounded in three principles: “listen deeply, lead boldly, and love unconditionally.”
In a world where school districts often look to outside saviors for transformation, Newport News found its most qualified candidate right in its own backyard. Dr Mitchell’s leadership isn’t that of a detached strategist; it is the deeply informed, service-driven leadership of someone who has walked the halls, taught in the classrooms, and served the community in nearly every capacity imaginable.
She understands the district’s rhythms, its strengths, and its challenges with a granular intimacy that only comes from decades of dedicated service. Her vision for the school system is not just a plan; it is a promise to a community she has always called home, a promise to build schools that are not merely places of academic learning, but powerful “engines of hope.”
A Career Forged in the Classroom and Community
Dr. Mitchell’s path to the superintendency is a master class in dedication. Her career began at South Morrison Elementary in Newport News before she broadened her experience in Fairfax County, Virginia, serving for 11 years as both a teacher and a crisis counselor. This dual role, bridging academics and student well-being, would become a hallmark of her approach.
Upon her return to Newport News, she embarked on a journey that saw her touch every facet of the school division. She was a teacher, an assistant principal, a middle school principal, the director of special education, and the interim Chief Academic Officer. This extensive background provided her with a rare, comprehensive understanding of the district’s operations from every conceivable angle.
So, when the time came to select a new superintendent in 2023, the School Board, after seeking input from parents, staff, students, and the community, found that Dr. Mitchell matched every qualification and characteristic they had identified as a priority.
As then-School Board Chairman Lisa Surles-Law put it, “Our best and most qualified candidate was right here in Newport News Public Schools.”
Building an Engine of Hope
Dr. Mitchell believes that a modern superintendent must do more than simply manage the day-to-day functions of a school division; they must provide a vision and inspire others to reach for it.
According to her, “Schools are more than places of academic learning, they are engines of hope. And hope requires action.”
That means rallying the entire community, she says.
“Today’s school leaders must be a bridge to the community, building relationships with local leaders, businesses, and civic groups to ensure schools have the resources and support they need to help students thrive.”
A core tenet of her vision is addressing the whole child. As Executive Director of Student Advancement, she witnessed the growing symptoms of mental health challenges among young people and took bold, proactive steps to address the issue.
In 2019, she led the establishment of the national award-winning Tiered Emotional and Mental Health Supports (TEaMS) program. The program offers a continuum of social and emotional services, removing barriers to care by providing them at no cost to families. It fully funds licensed clinical mental health therapists who serve directly in the school setting, making NNPS the only school system in Southeastern Virginia to offer this level of in-school access to mental health professionals.
At the same time, Dr. Mitchell has addressed the foundational need for physical safety with equal vigor. Since becoming superintendent, she has spearheaded initiatives to enhance safety and security for students and staff by increasing the number of school security officers, installing weapon detection systems in all schools, and providing more security training for staff. This work is bolstered by increased collaboration with the Newport News Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office, creating a network of protection that allows learning to flourish.
A Leader in Innovation
With a safe and supportive environment as the foundation, Dr. Mitchell is driving academic innovation with a clear focus on the future. A division-wide PK-12 Literacy Plan has been launched to build the capacity of all learners as readers, writers, communicators, and researchers. The plan is designed with innovative and equitable practices that aim to close achievement gaps and increase access to rigorous learning experiences for all students.
A prime example of this future-focused approach is the new Maritime Engineering and Environmental Studies Academy (MEESA). Located strategically in a thriving business park, MEESA offers students a unique, hands-on opportunity to explore maritime engineering and logistics while earning dual enrollment credits from Old Dominion University. The program is explicitly designed to prepare students for high-demand careers in the region’s vital maritime industry.
This work is part of a larger, comprehensive vision. The district is currently developing its next five-year Strategic Plan in collaboration with the Newport News School Board, students, families, local businesses, and community organizations. The plan focuses on strengthening community partnerships, ensuring academic literacy, building a culture of advancement, strengthening public support through marketing its many opportunities for student success, and preparing students for the workforce and civic life.
Co-Creators of an Equitable Future
Dr. Mitchell’s leadership is fundamentally collaborative. She believes that students, families, and staff are not just participants in the school experience, but “co-creators” of it. This philosophy is evident in the district’s approach to equity. Working as a team with a proactive and supportive elected School Board, the school division partners with a wide variety of stakeholders, including staff, community representatives, the PTA, students, and faith groups to help set budget priorities to ensure all students benefit equitably from available resources. A critical component of this is maintaining 1:1 technology in schools, ensuring every student has the resources they need to learn anytime, anywhere – during the school day, after hours, and even during inclement weather events.
This collaborative spirit fuels initiatives she is most excited about. In an effort to “amplify youth voices,” Dr. Mitchell is also planning the launch of a student-powered podcast that will showcase innovation across the district.
These initiatives, along with a new and robust family engagement model, demonstrate a deep commitment to building a school system in partnership with the community it serves.
Leading with Heart
Even with the immense responsibilities of her role, Dr. Mitchell is intentional about nurturing balance and joy. She protects time for family, faith, and simple pleasures like reading, journaling, and long walks.
Still, the well-being of her school community is always on her mind.
When asked what she would do with unlimited resources for education, Dr. Mitchell’s answer reveals the core of her convictions: universal early childhood education, fully funded mental health services, smaller class sizes, and a rethinking of school to be more experiential and human-centered. And equally important, she would ensure educators are honored, supported, and paid as the professionals they are.
Dr. Mitchell continues to lead with clarity, courage, and compassion, driven by the memory of that one student and the thousands more like her. “To me, public education is not just a career; it is the most powerful lever we have to change lives, and I will always be honored to be a part of that work,” she says.
Also Read: The 10 Inspiring Education Leaders
