Q+A with Osbourn High’s New Principal, Jennifer Chapman

In early July, Manassas City Public Schools named Jennifer Chapman, Ed.D., as the new principal of Osbourn High School. She was appointed by the School Board for her background in Fairfax County and Prince William County school systems as a math teacher, assessment coach, dean of students and assistant principal. Chapman holds dual bachelor's degrees in secondary mathematics education and film and video from Pennsylvania State University. She also holds a master's degree in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech and a doctorate in organizational change and leadership from the University of Southern California. Chapman officially started her tenure as principal on July 15. Potomac Local News asked her a few questions, and here are her responses. Why Manassas and why Osbourn High School?

Chapman: I grew up in (and first worked in) a small town that had a one-high-school, pyramid-style school system. I very much enjoyed the close community feel of that style of system. Having lived in the area for the last 10 years, I spend a lot of time with my family in Manassas and always enjoyed the community. When I saw the opening, I was very enticed by the idea to get back to that close-knit community school system right in the exact community in which I already spend much of my time.

How will you bring all of your experience as a teacher, assessment coach and assistant principal to your new role as principal?

Chapman: While I want to spend much of my early time in the position listening and learning about the specific needs of this school and community, I will always be willing to share positive practices that I have observed with my team. Together we will work on ways to incorporate and adapt those practices to meet the specific needs of Osbourn.

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