Dr. Walter R. (Rick) Clemons is a native of Smithfield, VA (Isle of Wight County), and is the son of the late Walter (Buddy) and Mary (Hazel) Clemons. Growing up, Dr. Clemons had a love for music, and after graduating from Smithfield High School, furthered his post-secondary education in instrumental music as a trumpet major and piano minor. Dr. Clemons educational background includes receiving a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Music Education from Norfolk State University, a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration from Old Dominion University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from Virginia Tech. Dr. Clemons has served in the field of public education for over 32 years in the capacities of teacher (middle & high school band director), assistant principal (middle & high school), principal (high school), assistant superintendent and superintendent. Dr. Clemons is currently (since July 1, 2014) serving in the capacity of Superintendent of Schools for Gloucester County (VA) Public Schools. In addition to being named the Virginia Superintendent of the Year and the Region III Superintendent of the Year for 2023, Dr. Clemons was named as a Virginia Superintendent of the Year in 2021 and named the Region III Superintendent of the Year in 2018 by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. Dr. Clemons was also appointed by former Virginia Governor Ralph Northam as a member (2016) of the Virginia School Readiness Committee. Prior to serving as superintendent for Gloucester County Public Schools, Dr. Clemons served as superintendent of schools for three years (July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2014) for Northampton County Public Schools, located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Dr. Clemons considers himself to be a lifelong learner and has a true passion for seeing all students reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Clemons views providing quality feedback to administrators and teachers as being a critical component in improving academic success for all students. Dr. Clemons is currently a member of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS), The School Superintendents Association (AASA), the Urban Superintendents Association of America (USAA) where he serves as Regional Vice-President for the Northeastern States and serves as the Treasurer of the Region III Superintendents Study Group of Virginia. Dr. Clemons also currently serves as a member of the Norfolk State University School of Business Advisory Board, the Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA) Supervisory Board, the Board of Directors for Riverside Walter Reed Hospital (RWRH) and the Smithfield High School Packer Charities Inc., where he serves as the Director of Educational Outreach. Dr. Clemons is a life member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and a life member of the Norfolk State University Alumni Association. Dr. Clemons has been married for 23 years, to his beautiful wife LaGuamna, and they have one son, Walter R. Clemons, II. Dr. Clemons and his family reside in Gloucester County, VA.
Past AASA Virginia Superintendent of the Year Winners:
2021 Virginia Superintendent of the Year: Melody Hackney
2020 Virginia Superintendent of the Year: Jeffery Smith
About the Award:
The Superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by First Student and AASA, pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead the nation’s public schools.
State-level winners are selected on the following criteria:
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- Leadership for Learning
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Community Involvement