Virginia Beach City Public Schools Superintendent Aaron C. Spence has been named the 2018 Virginia Superintendent of the Year by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS). Spence was selected from a pool of eight regional finalists among Virginia’s 132 public school division superintendents.

According to VASS, Spence was selected for this honor, in part, because of his systematic approach to reducing inequities in achievement and discipline. In announcing his selection, VASS cited his strategies as a “textbook example of leadership necessary to make large-scale changes in an organization that produce significant changes and positive results.”

Since joining Virginia Beach schools in 2014, Spence has led division efforts to address equity and the impact of poverty to ensure that all students have access to a rigorous, high-quality education. In addition, he has directed the creation and opening of an entrepreneurship and business academy,expanded learning opportunities around sustainability and launched the Digital Learning Anchor School program which serves as a pilot for a 1:1 technology initiative.

“To say that I am grateful for this honor is an understatement,” said Dr. Aaron Spence. “I share this award with the teachers,administrators and support staff of Virginia Beach schools who love, teach and support the 67,000 students in our schools and classrooms every day. They have embraced our work through our strategic framework, Compass to 2020, and embody our core values of putting students first and doing great work together.”

“As a School Board and as a community we are thrilled to see Dr. Spence recognized for his exemplary work,” said School Board Chairwoman Beverly Anderson. “His visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to all children and his willingness to engage teachers and the community in conversations about academic and social issues to improve student learning and achievement make him a true leader in public education.”

Spence began his career as a teacher in Stafford County Public Schools. He went on to serve as a principal in Henrico County and the Director of Curriculum in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Additionally, he worked as the Chief High School Officer of the Houston Independent School District and was Superintendent of Moore County Schools in North Carolina prior to joining VBCPS in 2014. His arrival here marked a homecoming of sorts. Spence is a proud graduate of Green Run High School in Virginia Beach.

As Virginia’s Superintendent of the Year, Spence is now eligible for the National Superintendent of the Year Award which will be presented by the American Association of School Administrators in February 2018.

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