Freeman High School principal named REB Award-winner

The principal of Douglas S. Freeman High School has been awarded a $10,000 cash grant and an additional $20,000 for his plans to launch a new soccer program that will serve students from diverse backgrounds.

John Marshall, the principal at Douglas Freeman since 2019, received the 2023-24 REB Award for Distinguished Educational Leadership from The Community Foundation and the REB Foundation. The award recognizes one principal each from Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield and Richmond who have served at their schools for at least three years and who go beyond the day-to-day demands of their jobs to create an exceptional educational environment.

Marshall will use the funds will be used to create an in-school incentive-based soccer club program called "FC Freeman," aiming to connect students and families from different backgrounds and nationalities through a common love of soccer. The program also will include peer-tutoring and other support services for students.

Marshall was surprised with the news March 11 at a gathering in the school's library, attended by his family, students and Henrico County Public Schools leaders.

"Any success I have is because of the people around me," Marshall said Monday at the gathering. "I know it sounds cliché, but it happens to be true. And I just get to take credit for it ... I have a lot of gratitude to be recognized, and it means a lot that people notice that we're doing good work here. "A during-school-day soccer program for our multilingual learners will help them really feel part of school, to be celebrated and to tie that to positive behavioral awards ... We're all about making sure there's a Freeman family for all, and that everybody feels a part of what we do here."

Marshall served three years as associate principal at Douglas Freeman before becoming the school's leader in 2019. He joined HCPS in 2005 as a history teacher and wrestling coach at Varina High School. Marshall became social studies department chair at Glen Allen High School, and then the school's assistant principal.

Jennifer Rhoden, principal of David A. Kaechele Elementary School, was runner-up for the award. She will receive a $10,000 grant to create a serene area for students to relax, recharge, create and socialize. The project will include a maker space.

Rhoden was caught off guard by the honor.

"When I came here, everyone said it was a family and that they would never leave to go anywhere else. And I do find that to be true – it's a family of people that are here working for the students, (asking) 'How do we grow every single child? ' And so that has been the vision of Kaechele: 'How do we go beyond where we are? '"

A graduate of Henrico County's Mills Godwin High School, Rhoden became principal of Kaechele in 2021. She served as a student teacher at Charles Johnson Elementary School. She became a teacher at Highland Springs and Skipwith elementary schools, served as a literacy coach with Richmond Public Schools and taught at Laburnum Elementary School. She was assistant principal at Maude Trevvett Elementary School before assuming her current position.