Leadership
Meet Interim Principal Felecia Coleman
Greetings,
I am Felecia W. Coleman, a Retired Richmond City Public Schools Administrator and Teacher of 35 years, currently serving in the capacity of the Instructional Leader and Interim Principal, at the James H. Blackwell Elementary School. “Home of the Bears”!
I am excited to stand in the gap as the search for a permanent leader begins. My goal is to have this interlude of administrative change and reset bring empowerment and progress that will enhance the trajectory in the lives of the students, teachers and staff, as well as, families in the Blackwell Community.
This is an exciting period of anticipation, building high expectations, personal growth and acceleration for all! Blackwell has the ability to exceed all possibilities! I am elated to help build the capacity of student learning, parent engagement, stakeholders and community partners.
I am a native of Richmond, VA., where I forged a passion to work and serve in an educational system “From whence I have come”! I attended Richmond City Public Schools from Kindergarten - 12th Grade. I look back in silent wonderment, having been under the tutelage of some of the most highly qualified educators, in this city called, “Richmond”.
After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1975, I matriculated to J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Virginia Union and Virginia Commonwealth Universities, respectfully, graduating with honors throughout my educational career.
As a “Master Educator”, “Instructional Leader”, and a former student of Richmond City Public Schools”, I have left indelible footprints, which no one can emulate. “I believe great educators are born!” I have served as a creative, committed and talented educator who has inspired, educated, reached, taught and facilitated knowledge, on the elementary and secondary levels.
I have empowered teachers’ pedagogical practices, forged valuable parental relationships and most importantly helped students succeed academically. I have passionately loved what I was born to do…“Reach”, “Teach” and “Help” others”. My infectious personality, incandescent smile and warm personality has been a light in the darkness, to many.
Most importantly my experiences serving countless students, families, teachers, and staff of various worksites throughout the district, has inspired hope, empathy, compassion, and shared incalculable love, which has resonated positive change, hope and promise, to the thousands of lives I have touched, one child, one person, at a time.
Felecia W. Coleman, M.Ed.
Interim Principal
Blackwell Elementary School
Meet Assistant Principal Suzette M. Flowers
Suzette M. Flowers holds a Post Masters certification in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Richmond. She possesses 24 years of experience in education serving as a classroom teacher, both elementary and secondary. Mrs. Flowers understands the importance of building relationships with students, staff, and the community. Her ultimate goal is to provide educational experiences in the best interests of students that enable them to reach their greatest potential in school and in life.
Mrs. Flowers earned her Bachelor of Arts in English/ Mass Communications and Master of Arts in History from Virginia State University. Currently, she has served for two years as an administrator for Richmond Public Schools. Prior to school administration, she served as a Secondary English teacher with Chesterfield County Public Schools, an elementary and secondary teacher with Sussex County Public Schools, and one year as a teacher with Columbus Public Schools in a looped classroom setting, grades 4 and 5.
In her spare time, she loves cheering on her hometown team, THE Ohio State Buckeyes, spending time with family, movies, reading, and traveling.
Meet Assistant Principal Frenishee Smith
Assistant Principal Frenishee Brown Smith is a Richmond native and a proud product of Richmond Public Schools. During her 26 years with RPS, Mrs. Smith has served as a substitute teacher, third-grade teacher, curriculum writer, Title 1 Math teacher, and Assistant Principal. She has been recognized as RPS 2009 Teacher of the Year and she received the REB Award for distinguished teaching in 2017.
Mrs. Smith is passionate about instruction and leadership. She holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Post- post-graduate certificate in Education Leadership and Supervision from the University of Richmond. Her undergraduate studies were completed at Virginia Union University.
This year she is starting her fourth year as Assistant Principal at James H. Blackwell committed to building meaningful relationships with students, parents, the staff at Blackwell, and the Blackwell community.
Assistant Principal Smith believes that every child can and will learn if given the opportunity and the support needed. She is excited to help lead the staff at Blackwell this year as they “Plant Seeds to Promote Literacy”.