Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) embodies the spirit of family. From being greeted at the front door to walking through the halls of the schools, the community has an immediate sense of warmth and care. The welcoming atmosphere feels both familiar and comforting, like family. This special feeling doesn’t just happen, it grows from the ground up and emanates from the remarkable individuals who form the backbone of the school system—dedicated educators, compassionate administrators, diligent support staff, and vibrant students—who collectively nurture a warm, collaborative, and supportive environment. An environment we can call home and a community we can call family.
As a career changer, I began my journey with FCCPS in 2016, stepping into the world of education without the conventional schooling in teaching and classroom management that many of my colleagues possessed. My professional background was rooted in graphic design, a field I am passionate about and to which I have devoted over a decade of my life. During that time, I earned my Masters in Publication Design, got married, started a family (three beautiful children), and moved from Annapolis, MD, to Arlington, VA. Amidst the whirlwind of these life changes, one thing that stayed consistent was my love for art and design.
My family was my universe, and my perspective on various aspects of life—including my career—changed. My aspirations shifted from focusing on personal gain and financial success to a deep desire to share my passion for art with others. I wanted to teach the next generations how art can transform lives by opening the mind to greater empathy, broadening perspectives, nurturing diverse thinking, and enhancing problem-solving skills. Practicing art can be therapeutic and grounding in a fast-paced, highly competitive society. It has the potential to enrich our well-being, and I was eager to impart that gift to our youth.
Falls Church City Public School became my home for my mission. From my very first day at George Mason High School (now Meridian), I felt that immediate sense of belonging, as if I had stepped into a close-knit family rather than joining a team of colleagues. My FCCPS family shared an unwavering commitment to fostering a warm and welcoming environment, ensuring that students felt secure and encouraged to explore new opportunities, free from the fear of failure. Daily lunches turned into moments of connection as we exchanged stories about our own families, deepening our understanding of one another and our unique viewpoints. We celebrated birthdays like families and stood by one another during triumphs and tribulations. In this environment, with these people, Falls Church City Public Schools became an extension of my family.
During my first year teaching at George Mason High School, I had an incredible experience that truly embodied our spirit of family. One of my students, a senior grappling with profound personal challenges, became the focal point of our collective efforts as a school family. Her mother was battling terminal brain cancer, and in the absence of her father, this young woman found herself living alone with her ailing mother, shouldering immense responsibilities while simultaneously navigating the pressures of being a high school senior. In response, the teachers, counseling staff, and other faculty members banded together, determined to provide unwavering support in any way we could. We organized food deliveries to ensure she had groceries, crafted heartfelt cards to convey our care and concern, and made it abundantly clear that she had a family at school—a committed network she could rely on during such trying times. The true testament to our extraordinary community came during the heart-wrenching moment when the funeral director failed to arrive for her mother’s funeral. In an awe-inspiring display of teamwork and compassion, our remarkable counselors stepped up, taking the reins to organize the entire service and ensuring that the student received the emotional support she desperately needed amidst her grief. This experience left an indelible mark on my heart, underscoring the extraordinary love and unity of our community.
This incredible spirit of our caring community should not come as a surprise. As the premiere International Bachelorette (IB) World School District in Virginia, our mission resonates deeply within our halls: to “develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.” Each member of Falls Church City Public Schools embodies this mission, working wholeheartedly to foster a kinder and more harmonious world.
When I made the heartfelt decision to change my career path and share my passion for art with others, my goal was to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our next generations. Little did I know that, throughout this journey, my students would be the ones significantly impacting my own life. With each interaction and passing year, the depth of the students’ resilience, creativity, and compassion for others became increasingly evident and inspiring. One very special project that highlights this is “The Memory Project.” While participating in “The Memory Project,” our art students create portraits for youth around the world who have faced substantial challenges, such as neglect, abuse, loss of parents, and extreme poverty. The passion and care each student puts into this project is truly awe-inspiring. They demonstrate genuine compassion and empathy for others around the world and use their art to connect with them, showing that they care.
The diverse perspectives and stories expressed through art in the classroom enrich my understanding of the students’ world. Each story shared allows me to view their experiences through their eyes, fostering a greater appreciation of their unique backgrounds and challenges. The exchange of ideas broadens my perspectives and encourages me to reflect more critically on my own experiences and how they shape my understanding of the world.
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be welcomed into my students’ lives. Every interaction is a chance to learn and grow together. The connections I’ve formed in this learning environment have added immense value to my life, making me feel like I am part of something far greater than myself.
Falls Church City Public Schools has woven itself into the fabric of my existence, becoming my second family in every sense. This community goes beyond the typical definition of a school; it is a supportive network that nurtures the academic and personal growth of everyone involved. Being a part of this family has profoundly enriched my life, influencing my roles as a person, mother, wife, and educator in ways I never could have anticipated.
The reasons behind Falls Church City Public Schools consistently ranking as the number one school district in Virginia are clear: the people make this place extraordinary. The dedication and passion of the educators, the compassion and vision of the administrators, the relentless commitment of the support staff, and the energy and creativity of the vibrant students all come together to form a dynamic learning environment. This collective effort fosters a culture of excellence that inspires all of us to strive for better every day.