On July 1, 2021, Shenandoah County Public Schools welcomed Dr. Melody Sheppard as division superintendent.

Dr. Sheppard has over 23 years of experience as a school administrator. She started her educational leadership career as a director of technology, in which she established the technology infrastructure to ensure reliable, high-speed internet connectivity was available. Dr. Sheppard served as the director of career and technical education and principal of Blue Ridge Technical Center for four years. For the last eight years, she has served as assistant superintendent for administration. During her tenure as assistant superintendent, she served as interim superintendent for nine months. As assistant superintendent for administration, Dr. Sheppard facilitated the renovation of two elementary schools, a non-traditional school, and the building of a new middle school. Dr. Sheppard has experience in organizational and instructional improvement.

Dr. Sheppard earned her doctoral degree in educational leadership through the University of Virginia. She holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia Institute of Technology in business education.

Dr. Sheppard and her husband, Dana, have two children, Jacob and Cierra.