Dr. Thompson has 16 years of experience as an educator, with nearly a decade of that having served as a principal. Prior to coming to Hayfield Secondary, Dr. Thompson has served as the principal of Varina High School (Henrico County Public Schools, VA), principal of Caroline Middle School (Caroline County Public Schools, VA), and principal of Thomas Jefferson High School (Richmond Public Schools, VA). Previous experiences also include Special Education Department Chair, Summer School Principal and Special Education Teacher at Freedom High School (Prince William County Public Schools, VA).  

Dr. Thompson holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice, a Master’s of Public Administration, a Master’s of Education, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education. He is certified in Special Education-General Curriculum K-12 and Administration and Supervision Pre-K-12, as well as holds a Division Superintendent’s License.

Dr. Thompson is an experienced administrator with a reputation for innovative problem-solving. He has a proven record of improving academic performance and the learning environment in order to maximize the potential of both students and staff. He fosters a culture of collaboration and empowers all members of the school community to thrive by creatively and proactively addressing student behavior and mental health issues, while ensuring that students' voices are heard and respected in the decision-making process.  He is committed to connecting with all stakeholders to obtain input and build meaningful relationships with staff, families, community members, and students as he has successful experience in improving school culture. He recognizes the value of inclusive decision-making and the necessity of learning from others to effectively develop and lead plans that will propel Hayfield Secondary School to new heights.

Dr. Thompson is a proven instructional leader who is a strong proponent of data-driven decision-making and gathering informal, anecdotal information in strengthening instructional programming to improve student learning outcomes.  He possesses a deep understanding of pedagogy and instructional best practices.  He understands the importance of and is committed to pursuing and implementing a systemic approach to social-emotional learning and behavioral intervention.  He is experienced in implementing a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and fostering a robust Professional Learning Community.