Oscar Smith

Middle School

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One Extra Degree makes All The Difference

Administration

Dr. Linda Scott received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Old Dominion University and her educational specialist’s and doctoral degrees from George Washington University in Washington , D.C.    Since 1972 Dr. Scott has served in a variety of educational roles that include teacher, psycho-educational specialist, coordinator of special education, and coordinator of adult education.  She has also served as principal at Western Branch Primary, Greenbrier Elementary, Greenbrier Intermediate, The Chesapeake Center for Science and Technology, and Indian River Middle School . 

Dr. Scott has made numerous international and national presentations and has been a national trainer for the AVID program.  She has served as an advisor on the Nickelodeon Educator Advisory Committee in New York , taught at George Washington University , Cambridge College , and Virginia Wesleyan College .  Dr. Scott has been recognized as Administrator of the Year, Boss of the Year, and has been awarded both a state and national PTA life membership.

Dr. Scott and her husband, Ray Scott, raised a family of three - Renee, Jessica, and Derek - in Chesapeake . She and her husband played a very active role in their children’s education.  Accepting duties that ranged from PTA president to team parent, they found enjoyment attending activities like softball, football, Destination Imagination, track, cross country, The Disney Marathon (raising money for the Leukemia Society), and crew. The family has also found satisfaction in participating in sled dog and car racing competitions. Dr. Scott’s children, now, as adults, give much of their time to support other students.

Dr. Scott's membership in organizations include Chesapeake Association for Public School Administrators, Virginia and National Association of Secondary School Principals, National and Virginia Middle School Association, Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the Chesapeake Reading Council.

Dr. Scott believes that ALL children can learn and it is the role of educators to find the right strategies to encourage such learning. She also believes that expectations influence student achievement.  It is critical for all to believe that students can achieve.  It is her belief that if you want respect you must give respect; that educational decisions should be based upon what is right for children; and that children need to be challenged, actively involved, and feel safe while learning. Finally, she believes that everyone involved in a school community must come together as one in an effort to give children the best chance for success.

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Assistant Principal

Mrs. Galloway

Stephanie Phelps Galloway was born and raised in Hampton, Virginia and graduated from Hampton High School.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Old Dominion University.  In 1993 she relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina where she studied to become a school counselor.  She earned a Master of Arts degree in School Counseling in 1995 from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC).  Mrs. Galloway returned to UNCC in 1998 to study school leadership.  She received a Master of School Administration degree in 2000.  She was appointed to serve as assistant principal at Oscar Smith Middle School in 2005.

Mrs. Galloway taught reading at Norview Middle School in Norfolk, VA.  For six years she served as a high school counselor and an instructional accountability facilitator at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, NC.  She returned to the Tidewater area in 2001 where she has served as a counselor at Oscar Smith Middle School for four years.  Mrs. Galloway has had several leadership opportunities that include Data Analysis Team trainer, Action Team Leader for the SACs review, and a book presenter for a staff development in-service.  She has also served as the 504 Committee Chairperson and the Child Study Committee Chairperson.  Mrs. Galloway was also one of 15 candidates to complete Chesapeake Public Schools' Leadership Academy in May 2005.

Mrs. Galloway is married to Steven of Cleveland, North Carolina and they have two beautiful children.  Their son is Steven II and their daughter is Skylar.  

Mrs. Galloway enjoys spending quality time with her family.  They are members of Calvary Evangelical Baptist Church located in Portsmouth, VA, where they enjoy participating in various church related activities.  Mrs. Galloway also likes to travel, especially road trips to different destinations in the United States.

Mrs. Galloway is looking forward to another fabulous and exciting school year.  She believes that all students have something unique and wonderful to offer to society.  Students simply need the opportunity to flourish academically and socially in a caring environment.  When students complete their academic career, she believes they should be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to be productive and competitive citizens.

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Mr. Dunbar is a product of the Tidewater area.  He graduated from Indian River High School in 1992.  He loves the TIGERS but he will always be a BRAVE at heart.  After graduating with honors from Indian River, he pursued his dream to become a teacher and graduated from Old Dominion University in 1998 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts.  Michael began his tenure with Chesapeake Public Schools in the fall of 1998 as an art teacher.  Realizing the importance of education, he went back to school and earned his Masters degree from Norfolk State University.  He is looking to begin work on his doctoral degree some time in the near future.

In 2005, Mr. Dunbar began his administrative career as an administrative assistant at Oscar Smith Middle School under the tutelage of Dr. Linda Scott.  The following year he "got the call" to be an assistant principal at OSMS.  Since beginning his administrative appointment, he has been active in the school's academic achievement plan, AVID program, GENTS program and has spearheaded the annual Arts and Science Festival.  He has also mentored several successful administrators around the city.  He takes pride in all of his students' dreams and accomplishments.

Michael is not only active in school, but also in the community.  He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, an organization founded upon the principles of fidelity, brotherhood and community.  On the weekends he is a part-time barber, artist and photographer.  Mr. Dunbar enjoys working out and spending time with his family and friends.  He is a father of two, his angel Harmoni and his "Big Man" MJ.

Mr. Dunbar looks forward to moving into the new Oscar Smith Middle School and all the challenges that presents.  He states that he is "excited and up for the task."  Mr. Dunbar would like to remind all educators that "we are investing in this country's future, so be sure that we are making POSITIVE deposits."

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Assistant Principal

Mrs. Shonda Windham

Mrs. Shonda Pittman-Windham grew up in Tillery, North Carolina.  She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Elizabeth City State University and a Master of Arts Degree from Norfolk State University.  Mrs. Windham began her teaching career as a Business Education teacher at a middle school in Perquimans County, and then at Indian River Middle School.  In 2005, she obtained the position of Computer Resource Teacher, which is currently known as the Technology Integration Specialist, and remained in this position for six years. 

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Mrs. Johnna Byrd-King is a product of Chesapeake Public Schools, graduating from Great Bridge High School in 1989.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Virginia Tech in 1993 and her Masters of Science degree in Education from Old Dominion University in 1995.  Mrs. Byrd-King also received an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Old Dominion University in 2007.   

Mrs. Byrd-King began her career as an elementary school guidance counselor, but soon moved into the guidance department at Hugo A. Owens Middle School in its opening year.  She was chosen to be a Guidance Director in 2002 and served in this position at both Crestwood Middle and Hugo A. Owens Middle Schools.  While working in middle school, Mrs. Byrd-King had the opportunity to serve in many roles: School Test Coordinator, 504 Plan Committee Chair, Homebound Coordinator, and curriculum writing for counselors in the summer.  Mrs. Byrd-King works with the Adult Education Department as a GED Examiner. 

Mrs. Byrd-King lives in Chesapeake with her husband, Garth.  she enjoys spending time with her three step-children: Cody, Madison, and Seth.  In her spare time, she also enjoys traveling, reading, and singing in her church choir.

Mrs. Byrd-King is excited about being a Tiger at Oscar Smith Middle School.  She believes that every student is a work in progress and will flourish with the proper care and support, fulfilling their potential through knowledge and maturity.

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The Chesapeake Public School System is an equal opportunity school system.  The School Board of the City of Chesapeake also adheres to the principles of equal opportunity in employment and, therefore, prohibits discrimination in terms and conditions of employment on the basis of race, sex, national origin, color, religion, age, or disability.