Salem School Division Superintendent, Dr. Curtis Hicks, is pleased to announce that Kenya Motley has been named the new principal at East Salem Elementary School, effective July 1, 2025. The Salem School Board formally approved the administrative appointment at Tuesday night’s meeting. 

“I am thankful for Dr. Hicks and the school board members who have placed their trust in me,” said Motley. “I am honored, thrilled, and excited to return to my elementary roots and begin this new chapter of working collaboratively with the staff, students, and families of such an excellent school.”

Motley joined the Salem School Division in July of 2022 and since that time she has served as assistant principal at Andrew Lewis Middle School. Currently, she oversees the special education department, student services, and serves as the school’s testing coordinator. Last year, she helped the middle school realize a significant decrease in the percentage of chronically absent students.

“We are excited to name Dr. Kenya Motley as the new principal at East Salem Elementary,” Hicks said. “She has done outstanding work at Andrew Lewis Middle School over the past two years, developing strong relationships with families and demonstrating a calm, thoughtful leadership style that puts students first.”

“It has been a privilege to serve the Andrew Lewis community,” she said. “My experience there has been wonderful, and it has prepared me well to take the next step in my career as the principal of East Salem.”

Motley began her education career teaching in Roanoke County at Herman L. Horn Elementary and later at Roanoke City’s Round Hill Elementary. She also served as an assistant principal at the Roanoke Academy for Mathematics and Science. From 2019-2022 she worked at Virginia Tech in the school of education.

"As I mentioned when I joined the Salem School Division, I certainly enjoyed supervising student teachers at Virginia Tech, but my heart is fullest when I feel like I am positively impacting outcomes for our younger school children,” she said. “Enhancing their development and then watching them grow each day are both very rewarding to me.” 

Motley is a Roanoke native who graduated from William Fleming High School before earning her bachelor’s degree in human development and early childhood education from Virginia Tech. Motley also has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Radford University and a doctorate in philosophy from Virginia Tech.

“Her background as an elementary teacher and assistant principal, along with her experience mentoring future educators in higher education, makes her exceptionally well-prepared for this role,” said Hicks. “Dr. Motley’s strong work ethic and student-centered approach will serve East Salem well as she builds on the school’s tradition of excellence.”  

“I look forward to this amazing opportunity and continuing to do the work that I love,” she said.

Motley will succeed Hunter Routt, who is moving to central office administration to become the Director of Administrative Services. Routt has been East Salem’s principal since 2019.