School Announcement

Dear Mantua Family, 

I am writing to inform you that our beloved Assistant Principal, Ms. Amy Alley, will be transferring to Poplar Tree as the new Assistant Principal next school year. Ms. Alley has been an integral part of our school community for 11 years. During that time, she has been a critical team member in all aspects of school programming.  From designing our school’s master schedule and instructional blocks to her work with staff, families, and students to support student achievement, Amy has done it all. Ms. Alley will always be remembered for building strong community relationships through her partnership with the PTA, collaborating on school-wide events, enrichment opportunities, and fundraising activities.  Her institutional knowledge and love for Mantua is a combination that has made her tenure here so impactful. We have a deep appreciation for the effect Ms. Alley has had on our school community and for everything she has done to make Mantua an exceptional place to learn and work.  Although we are sad to see her go, we are very excited for her.  We know she will continue to positively impact the lives of students, families, and educators at Poplar Tree.

I want to congratulate Amy on this new chapter in her career and wish her all the best. We will have an opportunity to celebrate her before the end of our school year, and we will invite you to join us. Mantua has been home to her and her son Brayden for many years, so we know she will always be a part of our Mantua family. 

As part of this transition, I am happy to share that Ms. Colleen Vaughan will join our team this fall.  Collen comes from our neighboring school, Little Run Elementary.  Colleen has deep connections to our community, with her own children attending our pyramid schools.  

Ms. Vaughan holds a Bachelor of Science from Sacred Heart University, a Master of Education in Elementary Education from the College of St. Rose, and an Administration and Supervision Certificate from the University of Virginia. Ms. Vaughan has nine years of experience serving as an Assistant Principal; three years at Annandale Terrace Elementary School, and six years at Little Run Elementary School. She has over 19 years of elementary school experience. She began her teaching career in New York in Albany City Public Schools as a third-grade teacher and has spent most of her career in Fairfax County Public Schools as a fifth-grade teacher, Instructional Coach, and Assistant Principal.

Ms. Vaughan believes in the power of relationships.  She understands that our most significant work lies in building partnerships with staff, parents, and students. Ms. Vaughan also demonstrates great knowledge and expertise in instructional best practices, which she has shared through professional learning in her schools and at the district level.  She is a Region 5 Assistant Principal Planning Committee member, helping to develop and deliver professional education. She has also served on curriculum development work groups for science and as a science pyramid leader, where she trained teachers throughout the FCPS ways to implement the science curriculum in the classroom. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, baking, and spending time with her family, which includes her husband, Mike, and two daughters, Sidney (13) and Scarlett (9). Her weeknights and weekends are often spent cheering on her daughters as they play soccer and traveling to horse shows where her oldest daughter competes on an equestrian team.

We hope you will join us in wishing Ms. Alley well and welcoming Ms. Vaughan.  

Take good care, 

Linda Shannon, Principal