As a lifelong Northern Virginia resident and having many colleagues residing in Prince William County, I was drawn to Prince William County Schools by LaTanya D. McDade's, Ed.D. inspiring leadership. Her commitment to innovation and equitable education aligns perfectly with my own values. Throughout the interview process, I felt a strong connection with the Bel Air Elementary school community and PWCS' leadership team making Bel Air Elementary the perfect fit for me. One of the key factors that attracted me to PWCS and Bel Air Elementary is the diverse student population. Having experience in Title 1 schools and language immersion programs, I immediately felt a connection to the vibrant Bel Air community. I'm excited to champion for our students and staff and create a welcoming, safe learning environment where they can thrive.

How will you bring your experience as [specific experiences here] to your new role as principal in PWCS?

As a seasoned educator with 26 years of experience in the classroom, gifted and talented programs, and administration, I'm thrilled to bring my expertise to my new role as principal in PWCS.

My diverse background, including experience with dual language immersion programs, has equipped me with a deep understanding of effective teaching practices and the importance of creating a supportive learning environment for all students and empowering our staff as teacher leaders.

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Welcome (or welcome back) to a new Potomac Local News series, “Meet the Principal.” With nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County this school year, it’s important to get to know the folks in their new roles. Potomac Local has asked each principal the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.

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Welcome (or welcome back) to a new Potomac Local News series, “Meet the Principal.” With nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County this school year, it’s important to get to know the folks in their new roles. Potomac Local has asked each principal the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.

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I chose Prince William County Public Schools after hearing about its warm and welcoming environment. I had numerous personal and professional connections with PWCS employees, and everyone I spoke with shared positive experiences about working here. I chose Woodbridge Middle School because of its diverse student body and community. I am passionate about middle school students and love how vibrant Woodbridge Middle is.

My diverse background in education has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of running a school and supporting staff and students, especially middle school students. As a teacher, I developed a commitment to fostering student academic and personal growth. My time as an instructional coach allowed me to support and mentor fellow educators, enhancing their teaching practices and ultimately benefiting student learning outcomes. In my role as a mathematics coordinator, I honed my skills in curriculum development and data analysis, ensuring that instructional strategies were both effective and aligned with educational standards. As an assistant principal, I gained valuable experience in school leadership, managing day-to-day operations, and addressing the needs of a diverse student body. In my new role as principal, I will leverage these experiences to create a supportive and inclusive environment at Woodbridge Middle School. I am committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and high expectations for both students and staff. By drawing on my background, I will inspire and lead our school and community towards excellence.

Absolutely! In my first year as principal, I plan to focus on several key initiatives:

Enhancing student engagement: I will promote active learning and student participation, such as project-based learning, small group instruction and classroom activities that cater to diverse interests.

Professional development for staff: Providing ongoing learning opportunities and support for teachers is crucial. During our collaborative learning team sessions and faculty meetings, we will focus on integrating research-based teaching strategies and restorative practices. Several staff members including myself will be fully trained in restorative practices to support student behavior and development.

Community involvement: Strengthening the relationship between the school and the community is a priority. I hope to organize events and programs that encourage community members to participate in school activities and support student learning.

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I chose to come to Pennington Traditional School because of its reputation for academic excellence, strong values, parent involvement, and being a great environment for teaching and learning. I previously served as the principal of Gravely Elementary School for the last eight years.

I served as the principal of Gravely Elementary for the past eight years, assistant principal of Newington Forest Elementary School in Fairfax for five years and spent another six years teaching in both Fairfax and Charlotte, N.C. Throughout my time at PWCS, I provided district leadership by serving on various committees, including the Superintendent Principal Advisory Council, PWCS Return to Learning Planning and Logistics Committee, and PWCS Standards Based Teaching and Learning Committee. I was also a nominee for Elementary Principal of the Year in the 2022-2023 school year.

Throughout my years of leadership, I have consistently demonstrated high levels of student achievement, engaged the community through events and volunteer opportunities, and collaboratively created a great school experience for students.                   

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I am thrilled to serve as the principal of Gravely Elementary School. I have a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with a focus on technology, and a doctoral degree in professional studies in education. I am certified in teaching kindergarten through third grade and in educational leadership and administration.

In 2010, my family moved to Gainesville. I knew I wanted to teach in Prince William County Public Schools where I could make a positive impact on students' lives by guiding them academically and supporting essential life skills. I've had the pleasure of teaching kindergarten at Gravely Elementary for five years (2013-2018) and served as the assistant principal at Gravely for the past six years (2018-2024).

My vision as principal is that all students will excel academically and have equal opportunities to learn. My goal is to build upon and continue the existing culture of excellence and achievement at Gravely Elementary. I am committed to empowering teachers and fostering student success, which is essential to building a thriving educational community. I will build a positive culture and climate, where students feel safe and enjoy coming to school. I aim to create a community that exudes positivity and inclusivity.