Dr. Melody Hackney is completing her fifteenth year as a school superintendent in Virginia. For the past five years, she has served as Superintendent for Hopewell City Public Schools. She served ten years as Superintendent of Charlotte County Public Schools and four years as Deputy Superintendent for Mecklenburg County Public Schools.
Dr. Hackney has also served as Director of Instruction, Coordinator of Alternative Education Services, Principal and Special Education Teacher. Dr. Hackney has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education and two Master of Science degrees: one in Business Administration and one in Education Administration. She received her doctorate in Education Leadership, Policy and Foundations from the University of Virginia.
Past AASA Virginia Superintendent of the Year Winners:
2020 Virginia Superintendent of the Year: Jeffery Smith
2019 Virginia Superintendent of the Year: Jared Cotton
About the Superintendent of the Year:
As a sponsor of the superintendent of the Year program, First Student wants to recognize these leaders in a special way this year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the disruption that has affected all education systems but also the innovative approaches that the superintendents and school districts addressed through radio, television, zoom and take-home packages. These superintendents are the very best in public education and are needed more than ever during this crisis.
About the Award:
The superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by First Student and AASA, The School superintendents Association, 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:
- Leadership for Learning
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Community Involvement