A Second Career, A First Passion

How an Educational Leadership Grad Found His True Calling

Before pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Education at Longwood University, John Poss ‘24 built a strong career in the business world — but he had always felt drawn to education.

“Growing up in a military family and attending schools across different states and countries, I experienced firsthand how education can vary greatly depending on resources, leadership, and school culture,” Poss said. “That perspective helped me realize that not all students have access to the same opportunities, and I wanted to be part of the solution.”

Now the dean of students at Cosby High School in Midlothian, Virginia, Poss is fulfilling his commitment to making a meaningful impact. Through his work in leadership, mentorship, and school culture development, he helps create an environment where every student has the support and opportunities they need to succeed. 

Poss’ transition into education began in 2017 when he started teaching history at Amelia County High School and coaching varsity lacrosse at Manchester High School. A friend and mentor introduced him to Longwood’s educational leadership program, knowing that its practical approach and hybrid format — designed for working professionals — would be the perfect fit as Poss made the shift back to being a student himself.

“It had been 22 years since my undergraduate program, and I must admit — that was nervewracking. But the staff at Longwood made it easy,” Poss said.

“I remember attending virtual summer finance (Dr. Martha Eagle) and law (Dr. Lisa Chen) classes from lacrosse tournament fields between games. My players all loved the fact I was taking classes and were some of my biggest fans as I worked to complete the program — sometimes reminding me to jump online following games!”

In addition to the program’s flexibility, Poss found that the real-world leadership experiences allowed him to put his learning into practice immediately. As part of his internship, he launched a project aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism at Amelia County Public Schools and achieved tangible results. 

“I collected, analyzed, and presented data to the school board, leading initiatives that helped reduce chronic absenteeism from 27% to 13% in just one year,” he said. “This was real leadership in action, and it reinforced that effective school leadership requires data-driven decision-making and the ability to inspire meaningful change in a school community.”

Poss also valued that all his Longwood professors had experience working in Virginia school districts, giving them a deep, personal understanding of local school communities. Since graduating, he has continued to rely on the relationships he built with professors, mentors, and his cohort — connections that have now become part of his professional network.

“These connections have provided me with guidance and support in navigating leadership challenges and continue to inspire me as I advance in my career,” Poss said. “The ability to pick up the phone and seek guidance from professors like Dr. Sarah Tanner Anderson, even after graduation, has been invaluable and something I never would have expected to happen at any postgraduate program.”

Since earning his master’s in education, Poss has successfully transitioned from the classroom to educational administration, in his own words, “ready to lead, collaborate, and make a difference.” His work was even featured in Longwood’s #WoodULead video series on Instagram in the fall of 2024.

“My decision to transition into education was not just a career shift, but a calling,” Poss said. “Longwood’s Educational Leadership program gave me the tools and connections to take my passion for mentorship and leadership and apply it on another level, allowing me to make a difference beyond the classroom.”