Liberty Middle School Principal Receives R.E.B. Leadership Award
Sherry Lycett, the principal at Liberty Middle School (LMS), is the Hanover County Public Schools winner of the 2023-24 R.E.B. Award for Distinguished Educational Leadership by The Community Foundation. As a recipient, Mrs. Lycett will receive a $30,000 grant – a $10,000 unrestricted cash grant and $20,000 to be used for school initiatives, including collaborative instructional spaces at LMS and more.
One principal from each school division in the counties of Hanover, Henrico, and Chesterfield, as well as the City of Richmond, receives the award annually. It serves to recognize principals who “go beyond the day-to-day demands of their position to create an exceptional educational environment.” The school community and the public submit the nominations.
“This award means the world to me. I am humbled to have been chosen as the R.E.B. recipient among the amazing leaders in Hanover County,” said Mrs. Lycett, who is in her fourth year as principal at LMS. “The students at LMS deserve the very best opportunities to learn and, by being chosen for this award, I am able to provide creative instructional spaces for students and teachers to be engaged as collaborative learners.”
Dr. Michael Gill, Superintendent of Schools, was joined by members of the Hanover County School Board as he surprised Mrs. Lycett on Friday with the news of the recognition during a meeting with division leaders from across the school division.
“Mrs. Lycett is incredibly deserving of this recognition, and I am proud of her accomplishment,” said Dr. Gill. “She is deeply committed to serving her students, staff, and families each day. Mrs. Lycett is an inspirational leader, and I am grateful for her leadership and service.”
Mrs. Lycett said her favorite part of being a principal is “serving the LMS community of learners.”
“I get to work with some of the most amazing students, families, and teachers to build strong relationships and help children grow and develop,” she said. “Working in middle school, every day is different and every day I get to see learners and teachers working together to learn and thrive.”
Mrs. Lycett plans to use the grant funds to support both students and staff with a focus on engagement.
“I will use the funds to create collaborative instructional spaces for students to work in small groups outside of the classroom. Part of the funds will go towards an inspiring space for teachers to engage with one another as they collaborate on learning goals,” the Longwood University and University of Virginia alumna said. “Lastly, I plan to use part of the funds to grow the existing programs for our community and further strengthen the positive connections we have with families and businesses in the LMS community.”
Prior to becoming a principal, Mrs. Lycett taught middle school science, English Language Arts, and history, was a senior teacher at Chickahominy Middle School, and served as an assistant principal at both Oak Knoll Middle School and Bell Creek Middle School. She was appointed to serve as LMS principal in 2020.