FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Hopkins House announces the appointment of Dr. Justin Thomas as Principal of the Helen Day Preschool Academy in Alexandria, Virginia. Dr. Thomas will assume leadership of the Academy on August 21, 2025, following a week of leadership orientation and training. He succeeds Cheryl Butler, who will assume a new role at Hopkins House as Director, Student Recruitment & Community Outreach.
Dr. Thomas brings a distinguished record of educational leadership, instructional excellence, and community engagement to his new role. He joins Hopkins House from Rock Creek Christian Academy, where he served as Principal since 2021, overseeing a student body of 250 and leading a team of teachers and aides. In this capacity, he implemented innovative curricula, strengthened safety and compliance measures, introduced anti-bullying and community outreach initiatives, and developed advisory committees to engage parents and stakeholders. His leadership also emphasized instructional coaching, staff mentoring, and data-driven decision-making to enhance student outcomes.
Before serving as principal, Dr. Thomas spent five years as a Special Education Teacher in the Texas Alvin Independent School District, where he specialized in differentiated instruction and student engagement strategies, particularly for learners with diverse needs.
Dr. Thomas earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston – Clear Lake, a Master of Science in Elementary Special Education from Prairie View A&M University, and a Bachelor of Science in English Education from Morehouse College. He holds multiple teaching and educator certifications, including Generalist (EC–6 and Grades 4–8) and Special Education (EC–12).
A committed advocate for inclusive education, Dr. Thomas is known for fostering positive, trust-based relationships with students, parents, and staff. His experience in both academic leadership and classroom instruction uniquely positions him to guide the Helen Day Preschool Academy in continuing its long tradition of high-quality, nurturing early childhood education.
His appointment came after an extensive search conducted this summer by a parent-led committee.
“Dr. Thomas’s blend of strategic leadership, instructional expertise, and dedication to community engagement makes him an outstanding choice to lead our Helen Day Preschool Academy,” said Hopkins House President, J. Glenn Hopkins. “We look forward to the innovation, collaboration, and excellence he will bring to the academy’s students, staff, and families.”
About Hopkins House
Founded in 1939, Hopkins House is a nonprofit organization serving Northern Virginia, committed to providing high-quality early childhood education, youth programs, and family services. Through its Preschool Academies and other initiatives, Hopkins House helps prepare children for school, support families in achieving self-sufficiency, and strengthen the community.
