Suffolk Public Schools’ deputy superintendent has accepted a job with Norfolk Public Schools.

Jacqueline Chavis will start in her new position in Norfolk, executive director for elementary schools, on Sept. 19.

“One of the passions and dreams I have for retirement is to be a coach and mentor to principals,” she said after Thursday’s School Board meeting. She said she feels the position in Norfolk will get her closer to that goal.

“We really appreciate everything you’ve done here,” Chairman Michael Debranski said during the meeting.

Chavis, 51, is a Suffolk native, having attended three schools that no longer exist — Robertson Elementary School, Cypress Middle School and Forest Glen High School. She graduated in 1983. Her father was a custodian at Ida Easter Elementary School, formerly in the Saratoga area.

She studied biology at Hampton University and attained an administrative leadership degree from Cambridge College.

She began her teaching career in Norfolk in 1989, teaching first and then becoming the science teaching specialist for the division. She was later assistant principal and principal before moving to Savannah, Ga., to serve as the chief academic officer before returning to Suffolk in 2011.

“It’s been great to come here and work,” Chavis said.

She added she hopes to finish her doctoral work in the next few years, as well. She has only her dissertation left, she said.