Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Curtis Hicks announced on Monday the appointment of four veteran educators to new administrative roles in Salem City Schools, with the changes set to take effect July 1.
Jonathan Underwood and Nicole Doherty will serve as assistant principals at Salem High School, Eric Fisher will join the administrative team at Andrew Lewis Middle School, and Beth Denton will become assistant principal at South Salem Elementary School.
“This process highlighted both the strength of our internal leadership pipeline and our ability to attract outstanding educators from outside our division,” Hicks said. “That combination positions us very well moving forward, and I’m confident we selected leaders who will have an immediate and positive impact on our students, staff, and schools.”
Underwood transitions to Salem High School after serving the past two years as assistant principal at Andrew Lewis Middle School. He joined the division in 2023 as a civics teacher and previously taught at Glenvar High School and Cave Spring Middle School. He will replace Jamie Garst, who will become principal at Salem High School on July 1.
Denton will begin her first administrative role at South Salem Elementary School after 18 years as a math teacher at Salem High School. She has also served as head coach of the Spartans varsity volleyball team on two occasions. Denton replaces Kendra Fagg, who is returning to a reading specialist position at East Salem Elementary School.
The division also welcomes two educators from Roanoke City Public Schools.
Doherty is entering administration after 21 years as a teacher at Patrick Henry High School. She holds two bachelor’s degrees from Roanoke College and a Master of Arts from James Madison University, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree from Radford University. She will replace Andrea Johnson, who is leaving Salem for Roanoke County.
Fisher brings extensive administrative experience to Andrew Lewis Middle School, where he will serve alongside Matt Coe and Nikki Mitchem. A Roanoke Valley native, Fisher has been principal at Preston Park Elementary School since 2009 and previously served as principal at Wasena Elementary and assistant principal at Breckenridge Middle School. He also has six years of classroom teaching experience.
Fisher earned his undergraduate degree in education from College of William & Mary and a Master of Education from University of Virginia.
“Each of these appointments reflects the depth of talent we saw throughout the process, as we had an exceptionally strong pool of candidates,” Hicks said. “Their collective impact will strengthen teaching, learning and school culture across the division.”
All appointments were approved by the School Board and will take effect July 1.
