Mrs. Tonia Singleton, a longtime educator and administrator with the Pulaski County Public School System, has been appointed as the new Principal at Dublin Elementary School.
A dedicated educator and administrator with a passion for early childhood and literacy education, Mrs. Singleton, over the past two decades, has taken a journey in the field of education that has taken her in several rewarding directions.
Her career began as a paraeducator, working one-on-one with students with special needs. From there, she began her work as a special educator, offering inclusive instruction. Embracing her love for early childhood education, she stepped into a classroom teaching role as a Virginia Preschool Initiative classroom teacher, where she spent 11 years nurturing young minds and laying the foundation for their educational experiences.
Witnessing the impact that early literacy skills had on students inspired her to further dive into literacy education. It was at that point that she became a licensed reading specialist, dedicating six years to providing students with essential literacy skills that would lay the groundwork for their educational success.
Desiring to contribute to shaping educational policies and supporting those with whom she worked, Mrs. Singleton moved into school and division leadership roles. She served as the Assistant Principal at Critzer Elementary School, gaining valuable insights into school administration and the importance of fostering a cohesive learning environment.
Currently, Mrs. Singleton serves as the Coordinator of PreK and Elementary Education for Pulaski County Public Schools, where she is responsible for overseeing both federal and state programs and initiatives, aimed at enhancing the educational outcomes for students.
This academic path reflects Mrs. Singleton’s commitment to continuous growth and lifelong learning. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services Counseling, with a minor in special education, from Old Dominion University. She went on to obtain a Master's degree in Literacy Education from Radford University, and a license in Administration and Supervision. Currently, she is working to complete her Doctorate degree at Radford University, building her knowledge base of educational issues while striving to reach personal and professional goals.
As the new principal of Dublin Elementary, Mrs. Singleton is looking forward to returning to the school where most of her career took place. She welcomes the opportunities and challenges that come with this position and is excited to work alongside the talented educators that make up the Shamrock family.
"Tonia Singleton has had experience as a teacher, reading specialist, assistant principal and elementary instructional coordinator. They have given her great experiences to prepare her to be the principal of Dublin Elementary School. Her love for literacy will be evident with the Shamrocks," Dr. Tara Grant, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction said.
Outside of the school setting, Mrs. Singleton enjoys spending time outside, particularly at the lake with her husband, Rob, and three children … Molly, Thatcher, and Evan.
Mrs. Singleton takes over the position at DES from Dr. Elizabeth Webb, who will be moving to the position of Instructional Coordinator at the School Board Office. Mrs. Singleton will assume her new position July 1, 2024.
