Administration

Dr. Dara Gill-Williams, Principal

Greetings, I am Dr. Dara Gill-Williams and it is my absolute pleasure to serve as the principal of Chesterfield Academy!  I was born and raised in New York. I moved to the Hampton Roads in 1988.  This year marks my 25th year as an educator in Norfolk Public Schools (NPS).  My husband and two of my children also work in NPS.  As a proud grandmother of two, I am excited about my grandson being in the Pre-Kindergarten 4-year-old program this year.

My educational journey began at Hampton University where I received a bachelor’s of Arts in Mathematics.  Shortly after I focused on early childhood during my time at Old Dominion University earning a Master’s of Science degree.  As I continued developing my love for teaching and learning, I earned my doctoral degree at NOVA Southeastern University.

Before joining the Chesterfield family, I served as the Assistant Principal of Tidewater Park Elementary School.  Over my career in NPS I worked at Little Creek Elementary, Ghent School, Dreamkeepers Academy, Ingleside Elementary, and Oceanair Elementary in different capacities.  I have served as an Instructional Specialist, Math Specialist, District Trainer, Mentor Teacher, and Inclusion Teacher. 

Thank you Chesterfield Academy for having me as your principal.  We will continue to serve all students at Chesterfield Academy with equity and excellence as we reset, restore, and reconnect during the 2025-2026 school year.  Let’s have an amazing year!

Sabrina Ford, Assistant Principal

I am honored to serve as the Assistant Principal at Chesterfield Academy, home of the Cheetahs! I began my journey in education over 21 years ago with Norfolk Public Schools after earning my degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an Early Childhood Education endorsement from Norfolk State University in 2004. I continued my education at Norfolk State University, completing a master’s degree in Administration and Supervision in 2018.

My first 14 years were spent at St. Helena Elementary, where I worked as an inclusion teacher for third and fourth grades. Since 2018, I have been proud to call Chesterfield Academy my home, serving as a Title I Interventionist and Testing Coordinator. I am excited to continue supporting our students, staff, and families in this new role as we work together to ensure every student succeeds. My goal as an educational leader is to foster a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment where every student can thrive academically and socially. I am passionate about building strong relationships with students, families, and staff to ensure success for all learners.