As Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) prepare for the first day of school on August 12, Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman introduced a group of new administrators who will be stepping into key leadership roles across the division. The announcements, made during the July School Board meeting, reflect a mix of fresh talent and internal advancement designed to strengthen support for students and staff in the year ahead.
New Principal at Round Elementary
Janita Boatwright was named the new principal of Round Elementary School. She joins MCPS with a strong background in instructional leadership and a student-centered approach to school culture.
“Ms. Boatwright brings energy, vision, and a deep commitment to student learning,” said Dr. Newman. “We’re excited to have her leading Round Elementary.”
Osbourn High Expands Administrative Team
Two new assistant principals were also welcomed to Osbourn High School: Fernando Montanez and Ashley Burnett. Their appointments come at a time of continued growth and innovation at Osbourn.
“Osbourn is a dynamic school with increasing academic and extracurricular opportunities,” Dr. Newman noted. “Mr. Montanez and Ms. Burnett will be valuable additions to the leadership team as we support the whole student.”
Central Office Adds Budget Services Leader
In the central office, Tamika Lovett‑Miller has been named Senior Manager of Budget Services. She will oversee fiscal operations, planning, and resource allocation across the school division.
“Tamika’s experience in public education finance will help ensure we’re investing wisely in our students and schools,” said Dr. Newman.
Internal Promotion at Metz Middle School
Dr. Leslie Jones, a well-known educator within MCPS, has been promoted to Assistant Principal at Metz Middle School. Previously serving as the division’s Science Content Specialist, Dr. Jones brings a strong instructional background and deep understanding of the MCPS community.
Though unable to attend the meeting, her promotion was announced with enthusiastic support from division leadership.
The newly appointed administrators were invited to gather for a group photo during the meeting, with board members and audience members offering their congratulations and support.
“It’s always important to connect names with faces,” said Board Chair Suzanne W. Seaberg. “These new leaders represent the future of our schools, and we’re proud to welcome them into their new roles.”
MCPS serves more than 7,000 students in the City of Manassas and is preparing for a strong start to the new school year. Families are encouraged to attend open house events in early August and to stay connected with their schools as the new leadership team gets to work.
For more information, visit www.mcpsva.org.
WOODBRIDGE, Va. – At first glance, it looked like a typical hospital simulation: blinking mannequins, beeping monitors, and focused students practicing CPR and drawing blood. But for 14-year-old students like those in the room at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, it was a first glimpse into what a future career in medicine might look like.
Sixteen rising 8th and 9th graders from Prince William County Public Schools spent a week at the hospital as part of the Sentara Healthcare Career Camp, a free summer program designed to expose youth to the wide array of healthcare professions beyond just doctors and nurses.
“A lot of young people, when they think of a career in medicine… they think, oh, yeah, there’s a doctor and there’s a nurse,” said Jon Radulovic, spokesman for the hospital. “But in actuality, there are careers that span the whole hospital.”
Throughout the week, students rotated through departments such as imaging, respiratory care, surgery, heart and vascular, and pharmacy. In the simulation lab, they practiced drawing blood from prosthetic arms, learned how to detect stroke symptoms, and suited up in full PPE to learn about infection prevention.
“The coolest thing is they have a simulation lab, and they have these mannequins that are really realistic,” said 14-year-old Afomia Asfaw, who will attend Osbourn Park High School in the fall. “One of the mannequins, they blinked, and I got scared.”
The students came from schools across the county, including Rippon Middle School, Marsteller Middle School, and Potomac High School. Many were drawn to the program by personal experiences with family in the medical field.
“My mom had a stroke,” said 13-year-old Christopher Brown II, a rising eighth grader at Marsteller Middle School. “So I wanted to learn more about the medical field and how to look for stuff at home, like symptoms of different sicknesses.”
Lorraine Gyamfi, 13, who also attended Rippon Middle School and is headed to Osbourn Park, said her sister’s experience inspired her in the school’s biomedical program.
“Originally, I just always wanted to be a doctor because it’s very interesting, like how the hospital works and stuff like that,” she said. “That made me want to go there, and also for the nursing program later on in high school.”
The camp was first launched at Sentara hospitals in 2023 in response to a growing concern about the shortage of healthcare workers following the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the second summer the program has been hosted in Woodbridge, part of a broader effort to encourage students—especially those who may have limited exposure to the healthcare system—to consider careers in science, technology, and medicine.
“We’re looking down the road—by 2036, there are going to be millions of vacancies for healthcare providers,” said Radulovic. “Who’s going to be taking care of us when we’re going to need a lot of that care?”
Each day started with breakfast in the hospital’s conference center, followed by a full day of learning and exploration. By Friday afternoon, students were ready to present what they had learned during a graduation ceremony with their families.
For Aleah Cody, 14, who’s headed to Potomac High School, the week opened her eyes to the many options available in medicine.
“I know I want to do something in the medical field,” she said. “Right now, I think anesthesiology is what I want to do, but I’m still deciding.”
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Community College System has appointed Dr. Van Wilson as the interim president of Germanna Community College, effective July 1, 2025. He most recently served as interim president of Brightpoint Community College in Chester, formerly John Tyler Community College.
Dr. Wilson will succeed Dr. Janet Gullickson, who announced her retirement last year and is stepping down after eight years as Germanna’s president.
Here’s the full press release:
Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), announced today that he has appointed Dr. Van Wilson, Ed.D., as the Interim President of Germanna Community College (GCC) effective July 1, 2025.
“Dr. Wilson’s proven leadership abilities and his unwavering commitment to student success make him uniquely qualified for this important role,” said Doré. “I have complete confidence that under his direction, Germanna Community College and its community of stakeholders will continue to thrive.”
Wilson has 40 years of experience in higher education, including nine years with the VCCS, most recently as Interim President of Brightpoint Community College. He previously served as associate vice chancellor for Student Experience and Strategic Initiatives. Prior to joining Virginia’s Community Colleges in 2013, Wilson served as associate vice president of Student Learning and Success for the North Carolina Community College System, a position he held for five years.
Dr. Wilson holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Appalachian State University, a master’s in public affairs from Western Carolina University, and a bachelor’s in chemistry from Western Carolina University.
Known as an innovator, bridge-builder, and ardent proponent of student support services, Wilson said he is both humbled by and excited about the opportunity to serve Germanna and its community. “From day one, all of my work has been focused on the academic success of students, helping them navigate the postsecondary education space,” he said. “I’m looking forward to leveraging my experience to help the college and its community prepare for its next president.”
Wilson, who retired from the VCCS in 2023, will take the reins of leadership from Dr. Janet Gullickson, the current president of Germanna, who announced last year that she would be retiring in July after eight years as the college’s chief executive.
The search for a permanent president of Germanna Community College will begin soon. It is a lengthy process and will be conducted similar to previous presidential searches at other colleges within the system. This national search will involve input from the local college board, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders, which will help to identify and prioritize the qualifications needed for the next president.
About Germanna Community College
Established in 1970 as part of the Virginia Community College System, we are a comprehensive community college providing quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities for the residents of the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, Culpeper, King George, Madison, Orange, Spotsylvania and Stafford and for online learners everywhere.Subscribe to our FREE email newsletter to get local news you can trust.
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PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Former Prince William County School Board member Diane Raulston, who represented the Neabsco District from 2016 to 2023, passed away on April 24, 2025. First elected in 2015, Raulston served two terms.
Known for her work advancing equity and education, Raulston helped lead the division through a period of growth, advocating for new school construction, teacher pay increases, and pre-K expansion. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on May 9 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manassas.
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Stafford County Government and Stafford County Public Schools will host a joint job fair on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 1:30 to 7 p.m. at the Rowser Building, 1739 Richmond Highway, Stafford. Stafford County Government is hiring for positions including Administrative Specialist II, Deputy Sheriff, Building Inspections Supervisor, Environmental Inspector, and Transportation Program Director. Stafford County Public Schools is hiring teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, and more. The event is aimed at helping federal employees and others continue their careers in public service.
Here’s the full press release:
Stafford County Government and Stafford Schools will host a joint job fair on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, to showcase available jobs and support federal employees seeking to continue their government service.
The event will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Rowser Building, Room A, 1739 Richmond Highway, Stafford, VA 22554. Both Stafford County Government and Stafford Schools have various job openings, including engineers, nurses, teachers, paraprofessionals, managers, tax specialists, deputies, economic development managers, land conservation specialists, park attendants, and more.
This joint job fair town hall is part of an ongoing commitment by Board of Supervisors Chairman Deuntay Diggs and School Board Chair Maureen Siegmund to strengthen collaboration between the two boards as they work to meet the community’s evolving needs.
“We understand this is a difficult time for our residents who are federal workers. We want them to know that we are hiring and would welcome them moving forward in their public service career,” said Chairman Diggs. “I am grateful to the Schools for collaborating on this event at a critical time for our community.”
“Stafford Schools is proud to join with our County partners in supporting the community and opening doors to meaningful careers. This job fair reflects our shared commitment to public service and to helping individuals continue making a difference in our community,” said Chair Siegmund.
This collaborative event reflects a shared desire to invite residents and federal employees to #ChooseStafford to live, work, and learn. Jobs available at Stafford County Government may be found at www.staffordcountyva.gov/jobs. Jobs available at the Schools may be found at www.staffordschools.schoolspring.com.
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Michele Hupman, Principal of Weems Elementary School, has been named the 2025 Washington Post Principal of the Year for Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS). The award was announced on April 24, 2025, and honors principals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and create impactful learning environments. Hupman has served as principal at Weems since 2022 and is recognized for improving student outcomes and school culture.
Here’s the full press release:
Manassas City Public Schools is excited to recognize Michele Hupman, Principal of Weems Elementary School, as the division’s 2025 Washington Post Principal of the Year. This distinguished honor recognizes principals who go beyond the day-to-day demands of their role to create exceptional learning environments, inspire excellence in school leadership, and foster meaningful improvements in their school communities.
Hupman, who has served as principal of Weems Elementary since 2022, was surprised with the announcement on Thursday, April 24, by Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman, Deputy Superintendent Craig Gfeller, and Executive Director of Human Resources Billie Kay Wingfield. She was presented with flowers and a banner to hang proudly outside the school for the next year.
A passionate educator with nearly 20 years of experience, Hupman is recognized by staff and peers as a transformative leader who brings energy, empathy, and excellence to every facet of her role. Under her leadership, Weems has seen notable improvements in academic achievement, student attendance, and school culture.
Her nomination was supported by heartfelt letters from multiple staff members, praising her hands-on leadership and uplifting presence.
“‘Have a good day on purpose’—that’s Mrs. Hupman’s tagline, and it resonates! She is positivity personified,” wrote Kindergarten Instructional Assistant Wendy King.
Whether greeting students with hugs, participating in Collaborative Learning Team meetings, attending every after-school event, or setting up monthly attendance celebrations, Hupman is known for showing up, pitching in, and lifting others up. Her leadership style is rooted in service, community connection, and a relentless belief in every student’s potential.
“She has been instrumental in improving our school culture, fostering team spirit, and encouraging inclusion and collaboration among staff, students, the community, and the PTO,” Instructional Assistant Hira Panth noted.
Others praised her leadership in professional learning and her deep investment in staff development.
“She is consistently making sure that the students are at the forefront of all the work we do and teachers have the tools needed to be successful,” said Dhanel Brown, Weems’ Instructional Facilitator. “It is because of her that I decided to apply for the role of Instructional Facilitator—she saw leadership qualities in me that I had yet to see in myself.”
Hupman was one of 27 finalists from the Washington metropolitan area selected to compete for the Post’s Principal of the Year Award.
Press release:
Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) is proud to announce the winners of the 2024-25 Outstanding Educator Awards. These exceptional employees have demonstrated a profound commitment to the success and well-being of our educational community. This year, PWCS recognized finalists in the categories of Support Employee, Novice Teacher, Teacher, and Principal of the Year.
Each winner received a $1,500 award, sponsored by PWCS business partner, Apple Federal Credit Union.
Congratulations to these exemplary employees.
- Support Employee of the Year, Connor Sadler, administrative assistant at Potomac High School.
- Novice Teacher of the Year for grades Pre-K-5, Destiny Fauntleroy, Sinclair Elementary School.
- Novice Teacher of the Year for grades 6-12, Sara Antillon, Gainesville High School.
- Teacher of the Year for grades Pre-K-5, Kristen Hao, Westridge Elementary School.
- Teacher of the Year for grades 6-12, Kelly Wasson, Independence Nontraditional School.
- Principal of the Year for grades Pre-K-5, Heather Goode, Sinclair Elementary School.
- Principal of the Year for grades 6-12, Amanda Johnson, The Nokesville School.
Also honored at the ceremony were the educators who received or renewed their National Board Certification.
Congratulations to all our winners, finalists, and nominees for being outstanding role models to PWCS students and staff. Your dedication and commitment have not only been recognized but have also played a crucial role in helping our students thrive.
This post has been corrected.
MANASSAS, Va. — The Manassas City School Board on Tuesday heard an update on the division’s plan to adopt a new primary mathematics curriculum resource, set to be implemented in the 2025-26 school year.
Dr. Ed Stevenson, director of instruction, and Deputy Superintendent Craig Gefeller presented the plan and explained how the state’s accelerated rollout of new math standards forced the division to revise its typical adoption process.
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"We have intentionally designed some of the interior to not only focus on our learning but also honor the legacy of Jennie Dean," Deputy Superintendent Craig Gfeller said at the School Board's Feb. 25 meeting. "... I want to thank our partner, the Manassas Museum, who has been a real partner to us in gathering artifacts to be able to authentically honor the legacy of Jennie Dean."
As of January, construction began on the new school site with safety barriers and signage being installed. Due to inclement weather, the construction crew had to work around cold temperatures and wet conditions, the progress report stated.
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On Feb. 5, the Board formally met for the first time to discuss the intent, purpose and goals of the committee. The first mention of the committee in the new Board term was at the Jan. 28 meeting by Board member Sara Brescia.
Many of the other Board members expressed interest in forming such a committee but wanted to move quickly due to President Donald Trump's swift actions on immigration.
