Dear Families,

I am writing to share that our assistant principal, Mrs. Laura Tapper, will be placed at Willow Springs Elementary for the fall 2023-2024 school year. We are excited for Mrs. Tapper as she continues her leadership journey, and we are confident that she will bring the same dedication, commitment, and hard work to her new role.

Mrs. Tapper has been an integral part of our school community for six years, and we are so thankful for how much we have grown during this time. She takes great pride in knowing our students and their needs. Mrs. Tapper has established impactful relationships with our teachers, students, and families. She has demonstrated an exceptional ability to encourage, motivate, and inspire others. We know Mrs. Tapper will continue to positively impact the lives of students, families, and educators at Willow Springs Elementary.

On behalf of the entire Lees Corner Elementary community, I congratulate Mrs. Tapper on her transfer and wish her all the best in this new role. We are proud of her accomplishments and grateful for her hard work, dedication, and leadership. We will have an opportunity to celebrate Mrs. Tapper before the end of our school year!

Much thought has gone into the placement of our new assistant principal. We are committed to having an experienced team to ensure a high level of learning for our students. We are excited to announce that Ms. Jennifer Hutchinson, assistant principal at Brookfield Elementary, will join our team in the fall, 2023-2024 school year.

Ms. Hutchinson is an experienced educator with twenty-six years in Fairfax County Public Schools, including eighteen years as an Assistant Principal.  She began her career at Clifton Elementary and Willow Springs Elementary as a special education teacher.  Ms. Hutchinson then became a 4th grade teacher at Sleepy Hollow Elementary before moving on to work with Instructional Services supporting curriculum writing and summer school planning.  She first served as assistant principal at Union Mill Elementary and has supported the Brookfield Elementary school community for the last thirteen years.

Ms. Hutchinson is originally from Western New York and received her undergraduate elementary education degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.  She then attended the University of Virginia for a master’s degree in special education, prior to moving to Fairfax County. Her education leadership master's degree is from George Mason University.

During her time in FCPS, Ms. Hutchinson has supported countless teachers, students, and families.  She is a teacher at heart and is her best self when surrounded by students and teachers. Creating and maintaining positive relationships is one of Ms. Hutchinson’s greatest strengths. She works to develop relationships with students and families to support all learners each day.

At Brookfield, Ms. Hutchinson spear-headed the development of the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Team (MTSS), providing staff development and optimizing student learning with this process. Her leadership was integral to the Special Education department, as she managed collaborative team meetings, preschool and middle school transitions, initiated/implemented a co-teaching model, and worked closely with families to ensure they understood their students' needs and services. Ms. Hutchinson’s leadership also supported the implementation of the schools’ Local Level IV, Advanced Academics Program.

Ms. Hutchinson is the proud parent of Calista, a junior in high school.  She enjoys spending time watching her play soccer and attending her art shows and galas.  Ms. Hutchinson enjoys walks with her beagle and riding her peloton.  She also enjoys cooking, trying new foods, and spending time with her family and friends.  We are excited to welcome Ms. Hutchinson to the Lees Corner community!

Warmest regards, 

VaRonica Sloan

Principal 

Lees Corner