John Hobson, a veteran educator with nearly 25 years in the local school district, has taken on the role of principal at Henley Middle School this year. Feeling deeply connected to the community, he shared that his family has deep roots in the local educational landscape—his kids attended Crozet Elementary, and his wife taught at various schools in the area.
Hobson began his career at Western Albemarle High School, transitioning to instructional coaching before returning to the classroom for several years. His experience at the division level inspired him to influence educational practices broadly. He played a key role in transforming the social studies curriculum through a project called Reframing the Narrative, motivated in part by the events of the Charlottesville rally in 2017. This initiative received significant funding to enhance teacher training and curriculum development, focusing on anti-bias and anti-racist pedagogies.
Emphasizing the importance of school culture, Hobson believes in fostering a sense of belonging for all students. He has a keen awareness of existing achievement gaps, particularly for economically disadvantaged students, and is addressing these issues through targeted focus on mental health and attendance.
Outside of school, he values outdoor activities and family time, enjoying hiking and attending his sons’ sports events. Welcome, Principal John Hobson!
