Henrico, Va., Feb. 23, 2023 — Amy Cashwell, superintendent of Henrico County Public Schools, was named the Region 1 Superintendent of the Year by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents and is now a contender for the commonwealth’s Superintendent of the Year award.
“I am humbled to be selected by my peers for this recognition,” said Cashwell. “For me, this is not an individual honor but instead represents the excellent, collective work that we are doing as a school division. I’m so proud to work alongside the dedicated professionals and instructional leaders of Henrico County Public Schools, including our school board, which truly values a high-quality education for all students.”
Now in her fifth year as superintendent, Cashwell is a champion for innovation and personalized, student-centered learning. Creating multiple pathways to academic success and fostering opportunities for students to gain critical life-ready skills are at the very heart of her ongoing work in service to Henrico Schools. As a result, under her leadership, HCPS graduation rates are up, scholarship monies earned by students have increased, and the number of industry certifications opportunities available to HCPS students continues to grow.
“We are so fortunate to have Dr. Cashwell leading Henrico County Public Schools, and we are thrilled by this much-deserved recognition of her work,” said Kristi Kinsella, HCPS school board chair. “Her vision, commitment to our employees, to student success and community engagement are exemplary. She has navigated HCPS through unprecedented times since coming on board and has proven time and again to be an effective leader with a heart of service to children.”
In tandem with the school board, Cashwell leads the implementation of the school division’s comprehensive strategic plan, “Destination 2025: A Plan for HCPS.” She works collaboratively with staff to build upon the division’s academic excellence and engages with families and community members to elevate and address issues of safety, expanding student needs and the impacts of national teacher shortages.
In addition to advocating for higher salaries and increased resources for staff, Cashwell directed the development of the HCPS Career Ladder, a first-of-its-kind professional growth model for Virginia educators. Offering personalized opportunities for teachers and support staff, the Career Ladder empowers teachers to advance professionally and advance on the pay scale without leaving the classroom.
A veteran educator, Cashwell earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and education at Longwood University before earning a master’s degree in education administration and supervision and a doctorate in education administration and policy studies from George Washington University. Her distinguished career began in Virginia Beach City Public Schools where she served as a teacher, principal and chief academic officer before coming to HCPS in 2018.
In addition to being Henrico’s top instructional leader, she chairs the Superintendents’ Steering Committee for CodeRVA and serves on several boards, including the national organization EdLeader 21, Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond and the Richmond Heart Association. In addition, she is a sought-after expert in K-12 education and presenter at regional, state and national events.
The Virginia Superintendent of the Year will be announced in late April and the winner will advance to be considered as the National Superintendent of the Year later in the year.