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<\/a>\u201cI owe a lot of where I am today (to) Virginia Beach schools,\u201d Spence said.<\/p>\n
He also owes his professional inspiration to the school system\u2013 he was named \u201cMost Likely to Become a Teacher\u201d while at Green Run.<\/p>\n
After graduating, Spence went on to the University of Virginia, where he earned his bachelor\u2019s degree in French studies, his master\u2019s degree in secondary education and his doctorate in educational administration and supervision.<\/p>\n
He began his career in education in 1994 as a French and photojournalism teacher in Stafford County Public Schools. From that time, Spence steadily climbed the ranks of school administration \u2013 first serving as an assistant principal and later as a principal in Henrico County Public Schools.<\/p>\n
In fact, as principal of Deep Run High School in Henrico, he led the school to being named one of America\u2019s Best High Schools by U.S. News and World Report<\/i>.<\/p>\n
After his time in Henrico, Spence served as director of curriculum and instruction for Chesterfield County Public Schools then its chief academic officer before being named chief high school officer for the Houston Independent School District in Texas.\u00a0 This is the eighth largest school district in the country.<\/p>\n
In 2012, Spence left Houston to become superintendent of Moore County Public Schools in North Carolina, a post he will leave to take the reins in Virginia Beach. His first day on the job will be on or before July 1.<\/p>\n Spence said he is blessed to have the opportunity to come back to the city and division he grew up in, and recognizes it is an opportunity many never have.<\/p>\n \u201cI am incredibly excited,\u201d Spence said. \u201cThis is a dream job for me\u2026I told the Board, if they want me, they would have me as long as they wanted.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Describing his leadership style as collaborative, Spence said his approach to taking over the superintendency will be to first and foremost hear from staff, students and community directly.<\/p>\n \u201cThe key thing is to come in with a mindset of listening to people,\u201d Spence said. \u201cIt\u2019s about people. It\u2019s about relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n It was a sentiment Spence shared earlier that evening in his remarks to the School Board.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is my commitment to you – because you have given me this opportunity – that together we will continue to build on the legacy and the excellence that is Virginia Beach City Schools,\u201d Spence said. \u201cWe will continue to ensure that every child has a rigorous and meaningful learning experience and\u2026we will continue to ensure that no matter where you go to school or what part of the city you are from that you will have an incredible opportunity to be successful in whatever future you choose.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>