Schools That Inspire

Thank you to the Suffolk VA Public Schools Communications Team, led by Mrs. Anthonette Dickens, for putting this video together. Their work has recently been recognized for excellence by the National School Public Relations Association with 17 awards!!!

A special thank you to Karen Jenkins, Dr. Okema S Harper, Dr. Stephanie Alston, Steve Smith, Treyvon, Layla, Charlotte Brooks-Dale, and Sean McGee.

I am so honored to represent SPS for all of our hard work. Next stop is the national competition!


Look: 👀
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZhpiY_AsX7/?igsh=MnM1Yzg5Njk2NnUw

Leadership is about more than a title—it's about creating opportunities, inspiring others, and making a lasting difference. Under the leadership of Dr. John B. Gordon III, Suffolk Public Schools has experienced incredible growth and innovation, from expanding academic and career pathways to creating new opportunities that empower every student to succeed. His vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence have helped shape a brighter future for our schools and our community. We are proud to call him our leader and grateful for the impact he continues to make every day. #SPSCreatesAchievers #VirginiaSuperintendentOfTheYear

Last week we celebrated Jordan Maples (Hermitage) and Laila Taylor (James Monroe) as the winners of the Dr. John B. Gordon III Scholarship for two schools that are a huge part of my past. Using the basketball analogy, Jordan and Laila are the Backcourt for this year since I wanted to give back to two schools that I love.

As we continue to celebrate the graduating class of 2026 and look forward to the future, I want to recognize the three winners from Suffolk VA Public Schools who earned the Dr. JBG3 Superintendent's Scholarship. With contributions from Dr. Rodney Brown Dr. Okema S Harper Branch, Dr. Stenette Byrd III, Mr. Anthony Lebron, Bishop Hall from Balm Church, and Karen Jenkins, each scholarship winner received $1600!!! These three winners will move our city Forward and as students they are at the Center of everything that we do!!!

This year's winners are:

Layla Criner from King's Fork High School
Nathaniel Bowen from Nansemond River High School
Tanaya Thompson from Lakeland High School.

Congratulations and all of us are so proud of you!!!

It is always my favorite time of year when I get a chance to give back to the schools that I love. Several years ago I started the Dr. JBG3 scholarship at both Hermitage and (The) James Monroe High Schools.

In speaking with the principals (Dr. Jackson and Dr. Petty) we chose two students that are in good academic and behavioral standing as well as exceling in extra-curricular activities.

It is always nice when my daughter Simone gets to help me present the scholarship too.

Congratulations to Jordan Maples (Hermitage) and Laila Taylor (James Monroe) as this year's winners!!!

I love giving promo videos to organizations that I believe in.

Check out this short promo that I did for the Virginia Education Association Delegate Assembly April 16, 2026-April 18, 2026.

I wear many hats and they all support our educators!!!

Look: 👀 https://youtu.be/MZzjhZzDiyw?si=0geU6U1l8UKe0O99

vea convention welcome dr john b gordon iii 1080p Dr. JBG3 brings the energy and Welcomes the Virginia Education Association Delegates to the Delegate Assembly in Norfolk, Virginia.Dr. JBG3 represents many h...

Yesterday was one of the best days of my professional career...

I was named the Virginia Association of School Superintendents Superintendent of the Year!!!

Thank you to Neal Fletcher for getting me started in administration and to David Sovine for showing me what instructional leadership was all about.

Thank you to David Melton for believing in me by naming me as the Principal of "The" James Monroe High School and telling me "you are going to be a Superintendent some day." Along with James Lane, the two of you taught me how to work with school boards and showed me what being "in the seat" looked like.

Thank you to Raymond Haynes, Don Robertson, and Theo Cramer for nominating me as I am so happy to represent Region II. A special thank you to Michele Mitchell for such an outstanding introduction.

And last but not least, thank you to my family for all of your support, and a very special thank you to the love of my life Anitra, and our kids Marcus, Kennedy, Simone, Iain, and Emerson.

We did it!!!

Super-enjoyed keynoting the A4LE Conference in Richmond, Virginia yesterday. My message about Finding. Financial. Functional. Capacity. focused on the value of school design, the barriers to the successful completion of school construction projects, and the collaboration that is necessary in order to build something sustainable. It is all about early identification of the challenges and a clear understanding of building capacity vs. functional capacity.

Thank you to Julie Fried and the entire A4LE Executive Board for the opportunity and I hope that all of the attendees left with valuable insight from the customer!!!

Congratulations Dr. Gordon!!!

Suffolk superintendent Dr. John B. Gordon III named 2027 Region 2 supe... Suffolk Superintendent Dr. John B. Gordon III has been named 2027 Region 2 Superintendent of the Year, recognized for his leadership and program expansion across Hampton Roads.

At the 3rd Annual Virginia Alliance of Black School Educators, , Conference I took over as President of the Organization. As a founding member, I am extremely honored to follow Dr. George Parker, and to continue to grow the organization and empower educators to further support all children, but specifically children of color.

Our conference was a huge success, and this would not have been accomplished without the leadership of Dr. Okema Branch, Conference Chair, and the entire conference committee. Thank you to our executive board, President-Elect, Dr. Clint Mitchell, Secretary, Dr. Taneshia Rachal, Treasurer, Dr. Shonda Harris-Muhammed, Parliamentarian, Dr. Stenette Byrd III, Historian, Dr. Kelvin Edwards, and Chaplain, Mr. Michael Powell, for believing in me and supporting my leadership.

VAABSE is the fastest growing organization in Virginia, and we are guaranteed to have a voice in education. We are breaking barriers and building futures!!!

Thrilled to be the opening keynote for Innovate
Upstate 2026. "Be The Gear Shift" is all about being the catalyst, creating synergy, and being deliberate in improving the field of education. All of the participants possess the skills needed to have a sustainable positive impact on the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year. Thank you to Tom Burton for the collaboration and the introduction to the Innovate Upstate Network!!!

Thank you to Lakeshore Learning for "Discovering Dynamic Learning Environments " today at the annual Lakeshore Learning Expo. We discussed the importance of creating school pride, engaging classrooms, and building "neighborhood schools" in all school communities.

A special thank you to Kevin Fadely for making this happen and I am glad that all of the participants had key takeaways that will last a lifetime!!!