Dr. Jared A. Cotton
When Chesapeake Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jared A. Cotton retires this year after a distinguished 34-year career, he leaves behind a legacy that perfectly defines what it means to be a “Product of Public Education.” Dr. Cotton’s journey in Chesapeake Public Schools began as a fifth-grade transfer student at Crestwood Intermediate. Raised by a single mother who struggled with alcoholism and chronic depression, he faced numerous challenges. However, public education and the opportunities available to him became a driving force behind his success.
At Crestwood Junior High, joining the band to play trumpet and tuba gave him a creative outlet and a dedicated group of friends, leading to selections in All-City and All-State groups. He developed his critical thinking skills through Odyssey of the Mind. At Great Bridge High School, he played varsity tennis, joined the National Honor Society, and served in the Digna Phi service fraternity. His dedication to learning German led him to become German Club president and earn a competitive senior-year exchange trip to West Berlin.
These formative experiences shaped his desire to become an educator himself. After earning degrees from Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University, he returned as a first-year teacher to the exact classroom where he once sat as a 5th grade student. He later transitioned into educational leadership roles, serving in numerous positions supporting technology, assessment and accountability before becoming superintendent of Henry County in 2012, and ultimately returning to lead Chesapeake Public Schools in 2018.
Dr. Cotton’s impact spans local, state, and national levels. Known for closing achievement gaps, he was named Virginia Superintendent of the Year in 2019 and Region II Superintendent of the Year in 2025. Regionally, his championing of Career and Technical Education (CTE) led to the creation of the J. A. Cotton Career Scholar Award for workforce-bound graduates and recognitions by the Hampton Roads Workforce Council. The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) honored him with the 2022 Communications Technology Award.
Dr. Cotton’s story is proof that while public schools educate the future doctors, Olympians, astronauts and congressmen, they also, and perhaps more importantly, build the very leaders that return to ensure that our public school system remains strong for generations to come.