Gertie's Gab
Special Announcement
Dr. Angela Atwater-New Jessie Thackrey Interim Director
This morning we officially introduced Dr. Angela Atwater to the JTP staff and the superintendent’s leadership team. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Angela Atwater to the FCCPS family. On January 4, 2021 she will officially begin serving as our interim director at JTP. Angela brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the position and we are fortunate to have her. For thirty dedicated years, Dr. Atwater has served in a multitude of leadership capacities including chief leadership officer, assistant superintendent, elementary principal, and most importantly a preschool and special education classroom teacher. She has always remained a teacher at heart, and she is currently fulfilling her passion for teaching as an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development. Over the years, Dr. Atwater has demonstrated a keen ability to cultivate positive relationships with other distinct leaders, appropriate government agencies, and professional groups. She is a leader among leaders who always places the interests of children at the center of her decisions and we are very fortunate to have her as our newest FCCPS family member. Angela will be spending the remainder of this week working closely with Ms. Baroody to transition into the position. We would like to invite you to read her personal letter to the JTP community, below.
In the spring of 2021 we will be moving forward with advertising and interviewing to hire a permanent director. We will maintain a timeline of naming our final selection before the end of the year. Stakeholder feedback and engagement is important, so in the coming weeks both parents and staff will have the opportunity to share their thoughts about the characteristics they see as important in the next Director of JTP.
Dr. Atwater's Letter to the Community
Dear JTP Parents and Community,
I am so excited to have been given the opportunity by Superintendent Noonan and Chief Academic Officer Bates to serve as your Interim Preschool Director! Throughout my career, I have always held the belief that early intervention programs are vital to the success of our youngest students. I began my teaching career as a Special Education Preschool Teacher and held that position for 10 years, serving preschoolers and their families in order to provide them the best opportunity to meet with success.
As a fellow parent and prior preschool and elementary teacher, I want you to know that this opportunity is definitely in my “wheel house”! As a former principal and a recently retired assistant superintendent, I have always supported and encouraged preschool programs in my area of supervision. I recognize and believe in the importance of a high-quality preschool program and the positive affect it can have on our littlest students. Like the JTP staff and the Fall Church City Schools, I too, am committed to ensuring that your preschoolers are provided the very best opportunities at Jessie Thackrey Preschool!
For the next six months, I look forward to meeting, working and growing with the entire JTP community. In the meantime, my wish for all of you is a joyful and relaxing holiday season with your families.
Kindest regards,
Dr. Angela Gwynne-Atwater