Salem School Division Superintendent Dr. Curtis Hicks announced last week that veteran employee Jamie Garst will be the new principal of Salem High School, effective July 1. Garst’s appointment was formally approved by the Salem School Board at its Thursday night meeting.
“Jamie Garst is a leader who truly understands the heart of Salem City Schools,” said Hicks. “As a Salem High School graduate, former chemistry teacher, assistant principal, and award winning middle school principal, he brings a unique depth of experience and a proven track record of student success.”
Garst is currently serving as an assistant principal at Salem High School. In May of 2022, he was named Virginia’s Secondary School Principal of the Year by a panel of principals and superintendents representing the Commonwealth’s Association of Secondary Schools. This peer-driven honor is based on exemplary performance and outstanding leadership.
The Salem native began his teaching career in 2008 in a chemistry classroom at Salem High School. He spent 10 years as an administrator at Andrew Lewis Middle from 2013-2023 before returning to the chemistry classroom to teach for two years.
“After venturing back in the classroom in 2023 to regain his ‘teacher perspective’, Jamie returned to administration with renewed energy and a vision that is squarely aligned with the future of Salem High School,” Hicks said. “We are incredibly fortunate to have a homegrown leader of his caliber ready to take the helm at his alma mater.”
“My time back in the classroom strengthened my commitment to supporting teachers and helping every student find a path to success,” said Garst. “I’m very thankful for this opportunity to return to the role of principal and continue to serve this school community that has given so much to me.”
Garst will replace Dr. Kelly Linkenhoker, who is transitioning from public schools in Virginia at the end of the current school year. She will begin a new educational challenge in South Carolina when she takes over as the principal of Oceanside Collegiate Academy in Mount Pleasant.
“We want to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Linkenhoker for her transformative leadership over the past three years,” said Hicks. “Kelly arrived at a critical time and successfully reinvigorated our staff while resetting the bar for academic excellence.”
Linkenhoker came to Salem in 2023 after serving public school students in both Buena Vista and Radford as a teacher and administrator. She will continue to lead the Spartans through the end of this academic year and graduation.
“Under her watch, Salem High School’s statewide ranking saw a remarkable rise, and she leaves behind a culture grounded in high expectations and student-centered success,” said Hicks. “Her legacy of strengthening our career and technical education programs and community partnerships has set a very high standard for the future.”
Garst earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry in 2003 from Virginia Tech and later acquired two master’s degrees in biochemistry and curriculum and instruction from Tech. He also has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Radford University. Later this year he will begin pursuit of his doctorate degree from Old Dominion University.
”I truly love this school and I love this city,” said Garst. “I’m so grateful I have the opportunity to work, live, and raise my family in such a caring and supportive community.”
Garst and his wife, Sarah, a teacher at G.W. Carver Elementary, reside in Salem with their three boys.
