Academy Principals and Deans

Academy Principal 

Benjamin Hammond was appointed as an academy principal at Alexandria City High School (ACHS) in July 2024. In this role, Hammond assists the campus principal in leading the Academies at Alexandria City, focusing on the Academy of General Studies.

Hammond previously served in various roles within ACHS to include academy improvement coordinator for the International Academy and an instructional coach. He also served as the social studies department chair for T.C. Williams High School, now ACHS, and in the same role at George Washington Middle School 2.

Hammond earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science and a Master of Education in social studies and global education from The Ohio State University. He received a post-master’s certificate of educational leadership and administration from The George Washington University and an English learner endorsement from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville.

Hammond was the recipient of the Golden Apple Award for teaching excellence in 2012 and that same year received the Titan Transformer Award for commitment to supporting and sustaining positive change in the school environment.

Academy Principal 

Gregory Thomas was appointed as an academy principal at Alexandria City High School (ACHS) in July 2024. In this role, Thomas assists the campus principal in leading the Academies at Alexandria City, focusing on the Academy of Global Studies.

Thomas previously served as an assistant administrator for Fairfax County Public Schools Adult High School and an instructional coach at Fairfax County’s Justice High School. He was also the internship coordinator for the European Union in Action program at American University. Thomas also served as the high school curriculum and professional learning director for the International School of Beijing.

Thomas earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Pennsylvania. He has a Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction with specialization in secondary science and English education from The George Washington University. Thomas received a post-master’s certificate in educational leadership and administration from The George Washington University.

Academy Principal 

Jessica Hillery was appointed as an academy principal at Alexandria City High School (ACHS) in July 2024. In this role, Hillery assists the campus principal in leading the Academies at Alexandria City, focusing on the STEM academy. She previously served as the assistant principal for ACHS Academy 3.

Hillery held various positions within Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) to include lead academic principal of school improvement and mathematics at ACHS, lead administrator ACHS Minnie Howard Campus, lead academic principal, academic principal, and technology integration specialist ACHS King Street Campus. She also was a math teacher at Francis C. Hammond and George Washington Middle Schools. 

Hillery earned a Bachelor of Arts in public justice from the State University of New York at Oswego and a Master of Education in educational leadership from George Mason University and a Master of Science from Dowling College, in Oakdale, New York. Hillery premiered the March of the Titans graduation march through the ACPS elementary and middle schools with her class of 2014 Titans which continues on with each graduating class. Hillery was a 2009 Alexandria Education Partnership Excellence in Education Award nominee. 

Academy Principal 

Kate Calma was appointed as an academy principal at Alexandria City High School (ACHS) effective July 25, 2024. In this role, Calma assists the campus principal in leading the Academies at Alexandria City, focusing on the Academy of Visual, Performing and Applied Arts and its topics of study and career interests.

Calma is passionate about promoting equity in education and creating inclusive learning

environments for all students. She was previously an instructional coach at Adult High School and Sandburg Middle School and a teacher leader at T.C. Williams High School now ACHS. Calma also served as an adjunct professor of world literature in the dual enrollment program at Fairfax County Public Schools online campus, Northern Virginia Community College and an instructor and mentor for Georgetown University’s College Preparation Program.

Calma has a bachelor’s degree in English secondary education from Providence College and a master’s in English from Georgetown University. She also earned endorsements in teaching English language learners from the University of Virginia and in building level administration from Arkansas State University.

Academy Principal 

Kelly Davis was appointed as an academy principal at Alexandria City High School (ACHS) in July 2024. In this role, Davis assists the campus principal in leading the Academies at Alexandria City, focusing on the Academy of Education, Liberal Arts & Human Services. Davis previously served as the assistant principal of ACHS Academy 6.

Davis has been in education for over 25 years. She worked in Denver Public Schools as an English teacher and dean of students, Arlington Diocese as a dean of students, and has served Alexandria City Public Schools as a dean of students and assistant principal. 

Davis holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from West Virginia State University, and a Master of Arts in curriculum and IN from the University of Colorado at Denver. She also completed the principal’s licensure program at Denver University. Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers.

Dean of Students

Candace Hyman joined the ACHS administrative team as an assistant principal in 2022 following nine years of teaching experience of secondary mathematics in North Carolina and Virginia and three years of experience as an MTSS specialist & interventionist in Fairfax County Public Schools. Ms. Hyman holds a B.S. from Winston-Salem State University in Mathematics with a concentration in secondary education and an M. Ed. from Liberty University in Administration and Supervision. 

Dean of Students 

Charna L. Johnson is a dean of students for Alexandria City High School (ACHS) as of July 25, 2024. In this position, she provides administrative support in managing student conduct and behavior to foster and maintain a positive school culture that promotes student growth and positive development.

Dr. Johnson previously served as an English professor and subject matter expert at Strayer University. She was also a middle school dean for Calvert County Public Schools Lusby in Maryland. Dr. Johnson served as a diversity/equity specialist for St. Mary’s County Public Schools Leonardtown in Maryland and an instructional specialist for minority achievement and multicultural education for Charles County Public Schools La Plata in Maryland.

Dr. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Bowie State University and a Master of Arts in teaching (secondary education) from Bowie State University. She earned a Doctor of Education in higher education community college leadership from Morgan State University.

Dean of Students

Erik Perini is a dean of students for Alexandria City High School (ACHS) as of July 25, 2024. In this position, he provides administrative support in managing student conduct and behavior to foster and maintain a positive school culture that promotes student growth and positive development.

Perini previously served as the summer online principal for Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) and the SummerTrek instruction and technology coordinator at George Washington Middle School. Perini was also an English and special education teacher and online learning mentor for ACPS. 

Perini earned a Bachelor of Science in special education - general curriculum K-12 from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Education in education leadership with licensure in administration and supervision PK-12 from George Mason University.

Perini was a recipient of the Harry Burke Award for outstanding achievement in special education. He also was presented with the Titan Transformer Award which recognizes contributions to student achievement and collaboration with peers and the Student Choice Award as most caring teacher.

Dean of Students

Michael Nyman is a dean of students for Alexandria City High School (ACHS) as of Aug. 8, 2024. In this position, he provides administrative support in managing student conduct and behavior to foster and maintain a positive school culture that promotes student growth and positive development.

Nyman previously served the District of Columbia Public Schools as program manager - school psychology. He was also a school psychologist for Alexandria City Public Schools and a board- certified behavior analyst at Peak Behavior LLC in Alexandria. 

Nyman has a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the College of William & Mary. He earned a Master of Arts in school psychology from George Mason University as well as a school psychology certificate of advanced graduate studies, applied behavior analysis graduate certificate and education leadership graduate certificate.

Dean of Students

Dean of Students

Robert Lewis previously served as an assistant principal at Alexandria City High School and campus executive director at Gestalt Community Schools in Memphis, Tennessee where he provided academic and operational leadership for a K-8 charter school campus. He also was the middle school principal at Lausanne Collegiate School in Tennessee.

In Mexico City, Mexico, Lewis worked for The American School Foundation where he established a solid foundation for success through oversight of International Baccalaureate (IB) programming and recertification at the middle school. Lewis also served as program director for the New York City Department of Education, overseeing a more than $25M federal grant to educate families about school choice. 

Lewis earned a Bachelor of Science in secondary social science education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He has a Master of Arts in history from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Business Administration in human resource management (with distinction) from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University. Lewis earned a Doctor of Education in school administration at the University of Pittsburgh. He also has TEFL Certification for teaching English as a foreign language.