At their meeting this evening, the Albemarle County School Board appointed principals for Sutherland Middle School and Agnor-Hurt Elementary School. Megan Wood, who has served Albemarle High School as an assistant principal since 2014 and previously worked with the Sutherland school community as an instructional coach, will become Sutherland’s next principal on July 1. Doug Granger, currently the interim principal at Agnor-Hurt, has been named school principal, effective this evening.
Wood, who was educated in the school division, brings a strong record of experience in culturally responsive teaching and interdisciplinary team learning to her new responsibilities. She has an extensive background as a middle school teacher and administrator, having taught at both Jouett and Henley middle schools, and in supporting middle school learning communities throughout the division as part of her instructional coaching duties.
“Megan is exceptionally talented in bringing together innovative curricula, programming, and professional development to prepare students to be lifelong learners,” said Dr. Matthew Haas, the school division’s deputy superintendent. “The impact of her leadership clearly will be felt in preparing middle school students for High School 2022, our modernization of the high school learning experience. As we continue to enrich learning through community partnerships and more project opportunities for students, Megan’s knowledge and leadership will be invaluable,” he added.
Wood will succeed the school’s interim principal, Brandi Robertson. “We are very appreciative of the contributions Brandi has made to Sutherland, both as an assistant principal and as interim principal. We look forward to her continued contributions to Sutherland and as a school division leader. Ms. Robertson will remain the interim principal through the end of June,” Haas added.
Granger is well known to the Agnor-Hurt community, having been the school’s assistant principal for six years before becoming a lead instructional coach. In his previous service, he helped manage the school’s significant student enrollment growth. His leadership focus was on adding to the effectiveness of the school’s programs in literacy, fine arts, and bullying prevention. As interim principal this year, he has continued the school’s progress in professional staff development, responsive classroom, and community engagement.
As a lead instructional coach beginning in 2014, Granger served as the fine arts facilitator for the entire school division and was instrumental to the development of its summer Fine Arts Academy, which offers a wide range of performing and creative arts programming to Albemarle County students of all ages.
“We are fortunate to have an educator of Doug’s professional training and record of accomplishments in such an important leadership role,” Haas said. “He has a deep appreciation for how skills such as being creative, analytical and collaborative are taught. The passion he brings to hands-on student learning and his value of diversity are a perfect fit with contemporary learning requirements,” he said.
Wood graduated from Gardner-Webb University and holds a Master’s in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia (UVA). She began her career as a social studies teacher and received an outstanding teacher of American History award from the Daughters of the American Revolution. She also has been recognized by Gardner-Webb for her academic excellence as a student and for excellence as a student teacher.
Granger is a graduate of James Madison University and received his Master’s Degree in K-12 Administration and Supervision from UVA. In addition to his leadership positions at Agnor-Hurt, he was an assistant principal at Burley Middle School and a band director for school divisions in Louisa and Page counties. Granger served in the National Guard from 2002 through 2010, reaching the rank of Sergeant. He also was president of the professional educators’ Phi Delta Kappa from 2012 to 2015.
