Dr. Anitra D. Wells is a proud native of Norfolk, VA. Upon graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, she matriculated to Norfolk State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education. She began her teaching career in Norfolk as a Business teacher and remained in the classroom for nine years. Upon earning her Master of Science in Education from Old Dominion University, she served as an assistant principal and human resources coordinator in Norfolk Public Schools. In 2004, she received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

In 2006, Dr. Wells was recruited to Guilford County Schools where she served as the principal of Northeast Guilford High School. During her tenure at Northeast, the school improved its academic performance, parent involvement and teacher retention rate. The school was also awarded the Hubert Humphrey Award for two consecutive years as the most improved high school in the district. Dr. Wells was also recognized as a Principal of the Year finalist during her last year as principal.

Dr. Wells was promoted to Executive Director of the Central Region in December of 2010, and served in that capacity for two years before transferring to the Northern Region. As an executive director she served and supported 42 schools in the Central Region and 34 schools in the Northern Region. Highlights for some of the schools she served included 92% of schools made at least expected growth (up from 87% in 2009-10); 5 schools recognized as Honor Schools of Excellence; 1 school recognized as School of Excellence (none in 2009 10); 11 schools recognized as Schools of Distinction (up from 7 in 2009-10); Reduction in schools designated as Priority Schools (from 6 to 4); No school designated as low performing (1 in 2009-10); Improved graduation rates in all high schools (2013-2014); two schools recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools (2013-2014); and The Early College at Guilford recognized as Top High School in North Carolina (2014-2015).

In 2015, Dr. Wells was selected as the Superintendent of Weldon City Schools. During her tenure in Weldon she worked to develop and implement Career Academies at Weldon STEM High School Career Academies; developed and implemented Global Academy and SPLASH Immersion Programs at Weldon Elementary Global Academy; implemented a grant funded personalized learning initiative; removed the district from the state low performing list in one year; improved from 50% of schools identified by the state as “F” schools to 0%. She also served as the President of the Roanoke River Valley Education Consortium and member of the Roanoke Rapids Rotary Club and Halifax Community College Foundation Board of Directors. 

Dr. Wells currently serves as the Superintendent of Lexington City Schools. In Lexington, she has implemented the district’s R.I.S.E. Initiative (Rigorous, Innovative Schools for Everyone) where the focus has been on providing equitable opportunities for all students. Programs being implemented in Lexington include Spanish Immersion, Leader in Me, AP Capstone, Personalized Learning Initiative (1:1 Digital Devices) and Cyber Security. The district is also undertaking a multi-million dollar energy saving project.

Dr. Wells is married to John Wells who is a teacher in Lexington. They have a blended family of one son and four daughters as well as four granddaughters and two grandsons. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and currently serves on the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce, the Davidson County Workforce Development Board, and the United Way Board of Directors.