Colonial Beach Schools

We were so honored to meet with Dr. Clint Mitchell of Colonial Beach Schools, located in Colonial Beach, VA. We originally came to meet with Dr. Mitchell and his colleague, Dr. Addo, when location scouting for a television series entitled, "Junior High Daze", and were super impressed about the history of Colonial Beach Schools, and of the Administrators that run it. We hope to add a little more history with the filming of this sitcom in a town that is already so rich in history and community! We were able to interview Dr. Mitchell, Division Superintendent, and find out more about him, including how he came into the Colonial Beach area, where he now heads Elementary, Middle, and High School in the area.

Q: Dr. Mitchell, please tell our readers a little bit about you and the Colonial Beach schools you over see. What makes your schools unique compared to other schools in the area, or even compared to other schools in the US? What drew you to wanting to be a part of this school system and what is your role within it?

A: My name is Clint M. Mitchell. I am a native of the Caribbean Island, Saint Lucia. I immigrated to the United States of America in 1989. Attended Samuel J. Tilden High School in Brooklyn, NY. Thereafter, I attended Brooklyn College, City University of New York where earned my BA in Political Science. I did my first MA in Urban Policy. Started teaching in 1999. Moved to VA in 2001. Completed my second MA in Education Leadership at George Mason University in 2003. Appointed as an Assistant Principal in Prince William County Public Schools in 2004. Appointed at Principal of Bel Air Elementary in Prince William County Public Schools in 2006. Served in that role of 10 years before moving to Fairfax County Public Schools in 2016 as Principal of Mount Vernon Woods Elementary. Left there in 2021 to take on the Superintendent role in Colonial Beach Public Schools.

Q: What made you want to turn to education as a career? Did you know this is what you wanted to do at a young age or was it something you realized when you were older?

A: What makes our school division unique is the small-town feel. Everyone in the district as well as the Division is connected to the student body. I wanted to be part of this community because it was an opportunity to rebrand an entire division from ground up. I was also attracted to the geographic location.

I did not go to school to be an educator. I spent 1 year in law school. I wanted to be an attorney and college professor. One of my professors suggested I try public education. I loved it and never left.

Q: Do you have children of your own? If so, how do your children feel about you being a doctor over an entire school system? Do you feel like your strategies in parenting and getting your children to understand the importance of education is different than a parent who is not an active working member of a school? What advice can you give to parents to help with their children's education, whether they attend Colonial Beach schools or not?

A: I have 2 girls. One just graduated college in May from Christopher Newport University with a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology. The other is a second year student at Virginia Tech, majoring in Biomedical Engineering. All parents wants what is best for their kids. My strategies are not that much of a difference. i think the difference is that I am in the field of education and push my kids to be better than me. The best advice I have for parents is to be a positive role for your children and push them to get an education; it can be traditional or non-traditional.

Q: We understand that famous NFL star, Torrey Smith, was a resident of Colonial Beach and most likely attended the Colonial Beach schools as a child/teen. We also know he has donated a small park to the community in his name. Do you feel this is a legacy that carries a lot of weight and meaning to the kids and community? How do you think it would impact the kids to have past community members who have reached success levels, such as Mr. Smith, return to the community to speak and interact with the kids on regular basis?

A: I cannot speak to this but I am sure that it is inspirational for all members of the community to have one of their own make it the highest level in sports. That is winning a championship. As for being a role model and returning to the Division, I am certain he probably will if asked.

Q: What would be the greatest goal for you regarding the Colonial Beach school system? How are you actively working to achieve that/those goals?

A: Our biggest goal is always to be fully accredited by VDOE as well as earning a blue-ribbon national designation. We are actively working on this daily by implementing a robust strategic plan for the next 5 years.

Q: We know that you have recently allowed a film production company to come into the schools to film a family friendly sitcom that centers around supporting morals, values, healthy friendships and family relationships. The Writer and Director of the show approached the Colonial Beach school system because they're hoping to bring a huge positive impact to the kids and community as well as acknowledgement and opportunities that may not otherwise be available by allowing a few real students from the school onto the production as background actors. How do you feel this opportunity will impact and motivate the kids and community?

A: I believe anytime there is an opportunity to showcase our Division and allow students to see where they live and go to school is always a positive thing. I believe it will be a good morale booster and provide a sense of provide for the students in the Division.

Q: Upon visiting the schools and meeting with you all, we were told that what is now the Admin building was once the first African American school in Colonial Beach. Can you tell us more about that fascinating history, when did the schools become integrated, and how the structure/maintenance has shifted over the years?

A: Yes, that is correct. I do not know this history. It is something that you will need to research on your own.

"The Colonial Beach Public School System was established as an independent school division in 1907. It serves the residents of Colonial Beach, which is a small town of about 3,500 people located directly on the Potomac River. -Google"

Click the link below for an amazing read on the history of Colonial Beach! This little town has seen some AMAZING history, including the birth, lives, and deaths of such notables as the families of Presidents George Washington, James Monroe and General Robert E. Lee.

https://www.colonialbeachva.gov/178/Colonial-Beach-History

Q: We've learned from the locals of Colonial Beach that the schools lack Arts Programs and we do understand that Colonial Beach Schools don't receive funding from government sources to run. (Please correct me if this is false information). If donations wanted to be made from any of our readers to help begin and maintain programs for the kids, whether financially or actively taking part in working side by side with the kids, who can they contact for more information?

A: That is not totally accurate. We provide several programs related to the arts at the Elementary School. As for High School, there used to be several programs pertaining to the arts. However, as leaders changed, priorities change. As for me, we are starting to bring back some of these programs. For example, we just hired a new music teacher that will provide our students with these opportunities. We also have one of the English teachers who teach theater.

As for donations to these programs, I am the main contact for business partnerships.

Q: What other information, fun, factual, etc. would you like our readers to know about the school, the community, or even about yourselves?

A: As for other fun information about me: I coach travel soccer-girls. I love the outdoors, particularly landscaping and lawn care.

Q: What is the most impactful piece of advice you can give to any child who has the drive and ambition to become greater as they grow?

A: The greatest piece of advice that I have for any student who has the drive and ambition to become greater is: Do not dwell on the amount of times that you fall or fail; instead use it a motivator to get back up as you strive for your goals. It will make it sweeter when it is achieved.

~Clint

Clint M. Mitchell, Ed. D., M.A.Ed.

Division Superintendent

FOR MORE INTEREST IN COLONIAL BEACH SCHOOLS AND TO FIND OUT HOW TO DONATE, CONTACT DR. MITCHELL DIRECTLY AT:

Email: [email protected]

Colonial Beach Public Schools (CBPS)

400 Lincoln Avenue

Colonial Beach, VA 22443

804-224-0906

804-224-8357-Fax

http://www.cbschools.net

Personal Twitter Handle: @Mitchemm13

CBPS Twitter Handle: @CBPSNews

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVa3A0V9H05tRT00Hv7Z6ag

“To each, there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.”

~Winston Churchill