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CHS Names Dr. Eric Irizarry as CHS Principal

written by Newspack Team | May 25, 2016

At a Charlottesville High School staff meeting yesterday afternoon, Dr. Rosa Atkins announced the appointment of Dr. Eric Irizarry as the school’s principal effective July 1.  Irizarry was selected from a strong pool of candidates from across Virginia and beyond.

Dr. Irizarry presently serves as principal of D.C. Virgo Prep Middle School in Wilmington, North Carolina.  He was tapped to lead that school’s reopening and reorganization in 2012, and the school has since made gains in student achievement, implemented a 1:1 technology initiative, and has launched a STEM initiative.  Dr. Irizarry holds three degrees from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where he has remained active as an adjunct teacher. He has held a number of administrative and teaching positions in North Carolina schools, has presented at conferences, and has focused much of his research and career on helping all students to achieve. 

“We are delighted that Dr. Irizarry is coming to Charlottesville High School,” notes Dr. Atkins. “We were blessed with a difficult choice for the position since the applicant pool was so strong. Even so, a consensus emerged among our stakeholders that Dr. Irizarry should be the school’s next leader. We are thankful that so many parents, teachers, and staff members  participated in this process, and we are confident that Dr. Irizarry will sustain and enhance the excellence of Charlottesville High School.”

Dr. Irizarry holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and doctor of education from UNC Wilmington. Dr. Irizarry began his teaching career in New Hanover County Schools.  He then moved to the Roger Bacon Academy, where he served first as assistant principal and dean of instruction before becoming middle school principal.  He returned to New Hanover County Schools in 2012 to guide the reopening of D.C. Virgo Prep Middle School.  Among his areas of emphasis have been building community partnerships, developing new programs, and fostering community and achievement among at-risk youth.

Outside of his role as principal, Dr. Irizarry has served on a number of division-level committees, community-based projects, and programs associated with UNC Wilmington.  He has presented at regional and national conferences, and his work has been published in the Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership.