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James Monroe has its first African-American principal Date published: 8/11/2009
BY HUGH MUIR
John B. Gordon III is the new principal at James Monroe High School, and the city school's first African-American leader. A basketball shooting guard who set a game record for 3-pointers (six) as a senior at Richmond's Hermitage High, Gordon coached high school teams to numerous titles over 13 years. He taught history and social studies before "crossing the desk" in 2005 to become an administrator. Born in Richmond, Gordon will be 36 on Aug. 23. He lives in Henrico County with his wife, Shavonne, also a Richmond native, whom he met while both were first-year students at the University of Virginia. They have three children: Marcus, who is studying forensic chemistry at Longwood University in Farmville; Kennedy ("We call her 'Ken'"), 5; and Simone, 6 months. "I had always wanted to coach basketball," Gordon said, "but my mother [Marian, an elementary school principal] told me early on, 'If you want to coach, you have to be a teacher.'" His father had been the third African-American to attend U.Va., and Gordon followed him to Charlottesville. He majored in psychology and graduated in 1995. Gordon earned a master's in education from U.Va. in 2000 and a post-master's in education administration and supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2007. He is working on a doctorate in educational leadership and policy at Virginia Tech. Shavonne graduated from U.Va. as a systems engineer and got a job in Delaware with DuPont chemical. Gordon followed and became a substitute teacher at Mardela Middle/High School in nearby Wicomico County, Md. "That's where I learned how to be a coach," he said. As an assistant coach, his boss and mentor was Russell Springman, now associate head coach at the University of Texas. Gordon became assistant coach at Parkside High in East Salisbury, Md., "where I also got my first real teaching job, in social studies." He also got a better basketball team. "We won twice as many games as I had at Mardela," he said. One celebration at the end of that successful season was his marriage to Shavonne, in May 1997 at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Richmond, where his late grandfather was pastor.
Because his success is in the best interest of the students at James Monroe High School, I hope others will join me in supporting this highly qualified professional educator. Congratulations to the students, as they have been blessed with an outstanding leader. Best wishes Mr. Gordon for a productive and successful school year.
3. In 2005, Gordon became the dean of students. He was put in charge of the master schedule, which matched 2,000 students with teachers and classes.
"It is the most difficult administrative task there is," Gordon recalled.
4. For the 2008-09 year he transferred to Monacan High in Chesterfield County, as assistant principal in charge of the ninth grade. He also worked with the English and foreign-languages departments and oversaw the library, as well as the building.
So I think he qualifies
1. Gordon earned a master's in education from U.Va. in 2000 and a post-master's in education administration and supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2007. He is working on a doctorate in educational leadership and policy at Virginia Tech.
2. Gordon also had created a history curriculum that ranged from slavery in 1300 to African-American roles in the present. The course is still taught at Meadowbrook.
Can you please remember to give me a smiley sticker next time I come into your WalMart?
Why must everyone turn ugly in this town? Welcome this man
to his new job and leave it at that.
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