Administration
Principal
Dr. Patrina Jenkins
Dr. Jenkins comes to Syms from Captain John Smith Elementary School for the past four years. Prior to Smith, she served as an assistant principal at Hampton High School, Bethel High School, Jones Magnet Middle School, Spratley Middle School and Barron Elementary School. She began her teaching career in Newport News City Public Schools where she served as a middle school teacher for 14 years.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from the Old Dominion University, and her master’s in education from Regent University. Jenkins further pursued her education and earned her Ed.S. in leadership and supervision from The George Washington University and her doctorate in leadership and administration from Nova Southeastern University.
Assistant Principal- 6th Grade
Andrew Perry
Mr. Perry is no stranger to Syms Middle School. He served the Syms students and families for four years, from 2012 to 2016, as a science teacher. He also was a 21st Century tutor and PBIS team leader.
Mr. Perry is coming to Syms from Newport News Public Schools where he has been a middle school science teacher for the past five years as well as the instruction team leader for their discipline task force, chair of the superintendent’s teacher advisory committee, and the 2019-2020 NNPS teacher of the year.
He has his bachelor’s in psychology from George Mason University and his master’s in educational leadership from Old Dominion University.
Assistant Principal- 7th Grade
Maurice Horton
Mr. Horton joined Hampton City Schools in 2019 and has served as a special education teacher at Bethel High School. Prior to Hampton, he was with Newport News City Schools first as an instructional assistant and then as a special education teacher, both at the elementary and middle school levels. His leadership roles include interim dean of students at Bethel High, lead facilitator for the HCS math department collaborative learning team, HCS induction mentor, and lead of Boys 2 Men Mentorship.
He earned his bachelor’s in recreation and leisure studies from the University of Mount Olive and his master’s in special education from Grand Canyon University, as well as his certificate in administration and leadership from the Virginia Department of Education.
Assistant Principal-8th Grade
Ogelynn Taloute
Ms. Taloute is comes to us from Franklin City Public Schools where she served during this past school year as a curriculum specialist. She began her career in public education in Newport News City Public Schools with experience as an English teacher at the high school and middle school levels. She has also served in Suffolk Public Schools as a high school English teacher. Her other experiences include but are not limited to a homebound based instructor in Newport News and Suffolk, as well as a school testing lead in Newport News.
She earned her bachelor’s in English and her master’s in secondary education from Hampton University and her Ed.S. in educational leadership and administration from The George Washington University.