Administration

Marcus Petty, Principal

Principal Marcus Petty of JM working, 2022.

Greetings! My name is Marcus L. Petty Sr., and I am honored to be the proud Principal of James Monroe High School, home of the Yellow Jackets. I am passionate about education, and I enjoy building relationships with students, staff, and families.

I received my Bachelor of Science and Master of Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. My teaching career started in 2011 in Chesterfield Public Schools. During my time in Chesterfield, I served as Coordinator of the Success Initiative for high school students and as an Administrator of the 21-Century Program. In 2016, my journey into administration began at Charles City serving as the Assistant Principal and Principal of Charles City High School.

I am a devoted educator who encourages a student-centered learning environment and providing students with real world opportunities to help them chart their path for success after high school. Again, I’m excited about the upcoming year and I look forward to working alongside each of you.

One Community/One JM!

Assistant Principals

Lakishia S. Banister

Hey there my good people. My name is Lakishia Banister, and I am super elated to be a part of the James Monroe family. I am from the Eastern Shore of Virginia and have been in education for 10 years. I strive to be an asset to our students, faculty and staff, and community members.

I received my Associate of Arts in General Studies from Eastern Shore Community College, Bachelor of Arts in English from Salisbury University, Master of Arts in Teaching from University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and another Master of Arts in Administration and Supervision.

I enjoy reading, exercising, doing speaking engagements, and writing. I have published a novel titled The Secrets They Kept and a self-help book titled, Overcome the Obstacle: Pursue the Dream. I am positive, energetic, a big dreamer, and a big thinker. I believe being a part of a solid team at JM is going to produce great results. Let’s rock and roll!

Thomas Johnson

Michelle Young

Mrs. Michelle Young is a life-long, passionate educator who grew up in Spotsylvania County. After graduating from Courtland High School, she earned a Bachelor's of English with an endorsement in Secondary Education from Mary Washington College, a Master of Business Administration from Strayer University, and a certification in K-12 Administration and Supervision from the University of Mary Washington. After twenty years in Prince William County Schools serving as a secondary English teacher and District-wide Instructional Coach, she chose to return to her home area, Fredericksburg, to serve the community where she spent her youth and started her educational career path.

Mrs. Young is married to network engineer, Jay Young; they have one daughter, Emileigh. Mrs. Young is an enthusiastic sports fan who loves football and ice hockey, but she was born in Pittsburgh, so Steeler football and Penguins hockey are her lifetime favorite teams. Mrs. Young chose to return to a school building because she missed building relationships with students and being a part of the high school experience--especially cheering on student athletes during sporting events and attending concerts and other student activities. She is excited to be a Yellow Jacket and to serve Fredericksburg stakeholders.