Nelson County’s new schools superintendent said this week she is eager to take the reins on July 1.
“It’s definitely an honor to have been selected and I’m very excited to get started to work with wonderful staff,” said Martha Eagle, an administrator in Amelia County Public Schools who was named to the Nelson schools post on May 2.
Eagle, an Appomattox County resident, will be the first woman to serve in the position, replacing outgoing Superintendent Jeff Comer. She currently is director of instruction and human resources for Amelia County schools and has 28 years of experience working in public education in Virginia, including in Appomattox, Amherst and Gloucester counties.
Eagle said Monday she plans to meet as many people in the school division as possible, as well as meet with the school board and administration to formulate goals for next year. She said Nelson County is a great community, and she’s excited to be a part of it.
“I have a collaborative-style leadership,” Eagle said in a phone interview Monday. “I love teamwork. I’m ready to get everyone on board and work — working with the team to see what’s working well.”
Among her experience, Eagle was principal from 2011 to 2015 at Appomattox High School, where she helped lead the school to achieve full accreditation, she said.
“So I’ve been part of that team, that planning, that process, the evaluating and the review,” Eagle said. “The three main things we look at are the curriculum, the instruction and the assessment; those three things have to be aligned.”
School board chair Dave Francis said Eagle brings her experience with many different aspects of school administration. After the May 2 meeting, Francis said the school board approved a four-year contract for Eagle, who will receive an annual salary of $125,000 to lead the division, which has roughly 1,800 students and more than 200 employees.
Eagle said her overall goals for the school division include exceeding state accreditation benchmarks based on revised standards, implementing federal Every Student Succeeds Act guidelines effectively and challenging students to meet high academic and social expectations to ensure career- and college-preparedness as the school division closes achievement gaps.
As a former high school principal, Eagle said she plans to attend many school events and programs.
“[Principals] are 24/7; they are involved in every event; that’s what I’m used to being — [attending] the games and celebrations so I can talk to people and get their feedback,” Eagle said.
She said one of her goals as superintendent is to work with staff at Tye River Elementary to achieve and maintain full accreditation.
Eagle earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University, a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Longwood College, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing education from Virginia Tech.
The Virginia School Boards Association assisted the Nelson school board with the superintendent search process. The school division received 180 survey responses, and 15 people spoke during a public hearing to provide input on what qualifications are important in the next superintendent. The board received 41 full applications for a new superintendent in their search.
School board member Janet Turner-Giles, who represents the North District, said Eagle is a forward-thinking leader.
“She’s personable and understands and comes from an environment that is similar to the community we are in,” Turner-Giles said. “She understands the small town feel and to push the students to excel in any environment.”
Abby Thompson, the school division’s director of academic support and student accountability, said after the meeting she’s been with the school division since 1992, serving in roles such as teacher, assistant principal and director of testing.
“It sounds like with her credentials she has what we need to move forward,” Thompson said.
Thompson said she has worked under two superintendents during her time working for the school division; Comer and before him, Roger Collins, who served as superintendent for 11 years.
“You have to know how to be a leader,” Thompson said. “You have to be out there in front of everybody. I’m excited to work with Dr. Eagle. I look forward to working with her and finding out her vision for Nelson County. We’re ready to pull up our sleeves and do the hard work.”