Shawn Nowlin
shawn.nowlin@ourvalley.org
In less than three months, Glenvar High Assistant Principal Amy Duff will start her new role as the principal of Glenvar Middle School.
Duff has served in many capacities within Roanoke County Public Schools (RCPS) throughout her career. When she joined the District in 2004, it was as a teacher at Northside High. Two years later, she was named the coordinator of English and an assistant principal at William Byrd High in 2007. Duff became the assistant principal at Glenvar High in 2018, a position she currently holds.
In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree from Radford University, Duff also has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Radford University and a Master of Arts in liberal studies degree (concentration in English) from Hollins University.
“Amy has shown exceptional administrative leadership at various levels for 15 years and I’m pleased she is becoming a principal at Glenvar Middle School,” said Dr. Ken Nicely, superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools. “I’m confident she will be a great principal to continue the tradition of excellence at Glenvar Middle.”
Josh Whitlow, Glenvar Middle’s current principal, has been selected by the Roanoke County School Board as the new principal at Hidden Valley High School (HVMS), a school he is remarkably familiar with. Lori Wimbush, who he is replacing, has been named the Director of Equity and Engagement for Roanoke County Public Schools.
Prior to Glenvar Middle, Whitlow served as an assistant at HVHS from 2003 to 2017. Before that, he was the band director at Glenvar High. Whitlow holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Virginia Tech.
“Josh has been an excellent principal at Glenvar Middle and I’m confident he will be an excellent principal at Hidden Valley High School,” said Dr. Nicely before adding, “Josh will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to Hidden Valley and will continue building on the strong programs in place.”
Both Duff and Whitlow were selected from a pool of qualified applicants. Longtime Roanoke County resident Andrew Smith says he was thrilled to hear the news of Duff’s hiring. “All three of my children were taught by her, so I’ve known about her character and integrity for years,” he said.
Said Smith of Whitlow, “He is also held in high regard within the Glenvar community, and always will be. I wish him nothing but the best as he enters the next chapter of his career.”