ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Albemarle County School Board has appointed Damean Barfield as the new principal of Albemarle High School. He most recently served as principal of Essex High School in Tappahannock, Virginia.

According to a statement from Albemarle County Public Schools, Barfield “focused on improving instruction, teacher self-efficacy, and creating an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect between students, staff, and families” as principal of Essex High School.

“It’s important to me to create an environment in which students, staff, and families can work together to emphasize and support students’ abilities to learn and grow in all aspects of school,” Barfield said. “We have to work together to ensure that all of our students have the opportunity to thrive.”

Barfield will assume his role at Albemarle High School in late July, succeeding Darah Bonham, who will transition to the Office of School Safety and Security as a School Safety and Security Coordinator.

Barfield has more than 15 years of high school administrative experience, having begun his career as a Health and Physical Education teacher in 1999 and serving as an assistant principal at several high schools and Fairfield Middle School.

“I believe the breadth of Mr. Barfield’s experience as a high school principal and assistant principal will be invaluable to the community at AHS,” said Clare Keiser, Assistant Superintendent for Organizational Development. “We are excited for the new and innovative ideas that Mr. Barfield will bring to Albemarle County Public Schools.”