Ms Frances Knight Thompson was educated in the Chesapeake Public Schools and is a graduate of Hampton University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. In 1989, she was awarded a Master of Science in Education degree in Guidance and Counseling from Old Dominion University. In 2005, she earned an Endorsement in Gifted Education from the University of Virginia.
Mrs. Thompson was an VBCPS elementary music teacher for 15 years and a professional school counselor with Virginia Beach City Public Schools for 22 years. In January 2010, she retired from VBCPS after 37 years of service. At her retirement, she was assigned as Guidance Department Chair of Kemps Landing Magnet School, VBCPS’ middle school for intellectually gifted students. Mrs. Thompson was named Kemps Landing Magnet School’s 2006-2007 Teacher of The Year. Her professional passion in education is increasing the identification of students in underrepresented populations for gifted programs as well as addressing the issue of closing the achievement gap of African American males, a local, state, and national concern for all educators.
Mrs. Thompson has received several community awards to commend her distinguished service to the community and her commitment to equity in education. In 2009, Mrs. Thompson was awarded the Humanitarian Award from the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission. Also in 2009, Mrs. Thompson was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Leaders Award from the Hampton Roads Urban League.
Mrs. Thompson is involved in the Hampton Roads community as an active member on the Board of Directors of Virginia Beach CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). She is an active member of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Equity Council, a member of the Executive Advisory Committee of Teens With A Purpose, and Vice-President of the Board of Directors for the newly formed Hampton Roads Diversity and Inclusion Consortium. She also serves as Executive Pastor of Mount Sinai Family Life Christian Center and as Vice-President and Program Director of ChainBreakers, Incorporated, a non-profit community development corporation located in Portsmouth, Virginia. ChainBreakers, Inc. is dedicated to helping low-income families in the city of Portsmouth become self sufficient and improve their quality of life.
Mrs. Thompson is married, a mother of three, grandmother of five, and resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
