Woodbridge, Va. — After two employees at a high school in Woodbridge last week were charged with having sex with students, the county’s school system is working to assure parents their children are safe.
A 27-year-old female English teacher, Tina Amato, and a 27-year-old male part-time track coach, Eric Lewis, are charged with having sex with two different Prince William County high school students.
Lewis, of Quantico, had sex with a student at Potomac Senior High School in 2008, while he was a substitute teacher there, police said.
Amato, of Stafford County, is charged with having sex with a 16-year-old student over the course of a year, and has worked at the school as an English teacher for the past three years.
Several phone calls from parents have been received by the staff at Gar-Field, but few have been from parents who are concerned about the arrests.
“The response has been quite limited. Mostly parents concerned about whether makeup work was received or wanting to know who the new teacher would be, in Ms. Amato’s case,” said Gar-Field Senior High School Principal William Bixby.
Bixby met with each of Amato’s classes to allow students to ask questions about the arrest, and in letters sent home to parents has encouraged a discussion about what happened here.
Between 2006 and 2009, Lewis worked as a substitute teacher at four high schools and five middle schools, including Forest Park, Gar-Field, Freedom and Potomac high schools, and Lake Ridge, Godwin, Beville, Woodbridge and Fred Lynn middle schools.
In both incidents, once school officials learned of the allegations against both teachers they took swift action in reporting it to police.
“This is something that is taken very seriously and it will not be tolerated at all, and there are great efforts to try to ensure this doesn’t happen in the in the first place, but if it does it is investigated and people are held accountable,” said Prince William County Public Schools spokesman Blackstone.
Before they are hired, the names of applicants who want to work for the county schools are checked against the National Sex Offender Registry as well as with the FBI.
Throughout the year, faculty and staff attend training focusing on sexual misconduct and harassment, said Blackstone.
While the allegations of sexual misconduct are serious, some parents aren’t panicked.
“Our schools have much bigger problems this. Bullying, for example, things that happen every day to every kid. You can do background checks, but they’re not going to catch the people you really need to be afraid of. The key is to stay involved with your kid, schools should do more, but you have to talk to your kids about how to handle situations like this,” said Tera Peacock, who has a child attending a middle school where Lewis once worked.
Another parent said it’s important to be open with their child.
“We as parents have to educate our children and stay close to them. Talk to your kids and be involved at their schools…anywhere they spend time,” said Rebecca Barnes, who has a fifth grade student in Prince William schools.
Recent Stories
Germanna Community College (GCC) hosted a ribbon cutting at its new Stafford expansion today, January 23, 2025. The event marked the opening of two buildings in Stafford: the Barbara J. Fried Building at 10 Center Street and the Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Building at 25 Center Street.
GCC was established in 1970 as part of Virginia’s Community College System and has locations in Culpeper, Locust Grove, Fredericksburg, and Stafford. The school’s website says over 13,000 students are enrolled.
The new expansion added 74,000 square feet to the campus with a $20 million investment. GCC plans to double enrollment in allied health services, like nursing. They will also expand their cybersecurity, IT, general education, and dual enrollment programs.
The preliminary hearing for Tryevon Davis, one of three men charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 43-year-old Jason Thomas Blake in Dumfries, has been delayed due to the pending completion of the Medical Examiner’s report. This critical evidence is being handled by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Northern District office.
Davis, along with Jerrome Thomas Barnes, 40, and Jackson Arthur Crisler, 30, face charges stemming from a fatal shooting on October 25, 2024. Police said Blake had gone to a residence on Cherry Hill Road in Dumfries to sell a firearm and purchase narcotics. An altercation ensued, leading to Blake being handcuffed, abducted, and taken to a secluded area along Triangle Street, where he was fatally shot. His body was discovered two days later in the backseat of his car.
The Prince William County Police Department charged Davis, 31, of Dumfries, with accessory before the fact in the commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit a felony, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and abduction. Barnes and Crisler face additional charges, including murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. All three suspects remain in custody without bond.
The Fourth Wish Foundation will hold a special white belt graduation ceremony on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Underground Krav Maga and Fitness in Gainesville.
The event celebrates the achievements of 54 children who have completed three months of Krav Maga training as part of the foundation’s “Healthy Kid Initiative,” a program launched in 2024 to provide extracurricular opportunities to children from financially challenged families.
“We want to ensure these children can continue with this worthy program that has already made such a positive impact on their lives,” said Sue Khalatbari, Director of The Fourth Wish Foundation. The foundation is seeking donations to sustain and expand the initiative, helping more children gain confidence, physical fitness, and critical life skills.
A debate over proposed legislation targeting panhandling in road medians sparked a spirited discussion among Stafford County Supervisors during their January 21 meeting. The proposed bill, sponsored by Delegate Paul Milde (R-64, Stafford County), seeks to impose fines on motorists and pedestrians who exchange items in roadway medians to improve safety and reduce traffic disruptions.
The legislation was also a topic of discussion on the Potomac Local News Podcast, where Milde elaborated on his rationale behind the bill in an interview with Publisher Uriah Kiser.
During the podcast, Milde emphasized the safety and traffic issues posed by panhandling in medians.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
