Superintendent's Principal Advisory Council

Elizabeth Johnson has served Prince William County Public Schools for 21 years, including the past eight years in school administration. She currently serves as principal of Alvey Elementary School, where she is committed to fostering a positive, inclusive, and student-centered learning environment that supports the belief that every Sunray will Believe-Achieve-Succeed in all they do.

Ms. Johnson earned a graduate degree in elementary education from Marymount University and a graduate degree in educational leadership and administration from George Mason University. She is an active member of the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Elementary School Principals, reflecting her commitment to continuous professional growth and educational leadership.

Outside of school, Elizabeth enjoys running, reading, spending quality time with her family and dogs, and traveling to the beach whenever she has the opportunity. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve on SPAC and values the chance to support the decision-making process for PWCS while collaborating with colleagues to advance excellence for students, staff, and the community.

Aerica A. Williams is a dedicated educator and school leader with 30 years of service in public education and extensive instructional leadership experience at the elementary and high school levels. She currently serves as principal of Cedar Point Elementary School and supports future educators as a University Supervisor and Adjunct Faculty member at George Mason University, providing supervision, coaching, and seminars for graduate teaching interns.

Throughout her career, Ms. Williams has been recognized for improving student learning outcomes, championing innovative learning environments, and strengthening partnerships with families, staff, and the broader school community. Her accomplishments include receiving the 2020 PWCS Business Partnership Award following a collaboration with Amazon Web Services and the PWCS Education Foundation, SPARK. Through this partnership, she co-designed the world’s first AWS Think Big Space STEM Lab, expanding student-centered opportunities in robotics, engineering, machine learning, and coding for PWCS students.

Outside of her professional work, Ms. Williams enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and gardening.

Amy Schott has spent 19 of her 26 years in education as an elementary school principal in Prince William County Public Schools and is honored to be entering her sixth year as principal of Henderson Elementary School. Her career has also included teaching kindergarten, third grade, and English learners.

She earned her undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University with certifications in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and ESL. She later earned a master’s degree from George Mason University, a certification in administration and supervision, and completed the SCOPE Leadership Program through the University of Virginia.

Ms. Schott currently serves as President of the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals and previously served for eight years as the VAESP/NAESP Federal Relations Coordinator. In 2022, she was recognized as both the Washington Post Principal of the Year and PWCS Principal of the Year.

Outside of work, she enjoys education policy and advocacy, STEM education, foreign languages, aviation, behavioral epigenetics, spending time with family, reading, gardening, and being active outdoors.

Timothy Slayter is the principal of Montclair Elementary School and has nearly three decades of experience in public education. Throughout his career, he has served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal in Fairfax County Public Schools and Prince William County Public Schools. He has led schools through periods of improvement and organizational change, strengthening school culture, instructional practices, and student outcomes.

Mr. Slayter earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and a Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching from Notre Dame of Maryland University. He was recognized as a finalist for the 2024-25 Prince William County Schools Elementary Principal of the Year award.

Outside of school, Mr. Slayter serves as a permanent deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. He and his wife, Stephanie, enjoy supporting their three adult children. He values faith, family, and service.

Amanda Whitney has 23 years of service at Prince William County Public Schools. She began her career as a kindergarten and third grade teacher at Triangle Elementary School and later served as assistant principal of Swans Creek Elementary School for four years. She is entering her 10th year as an elementary school principal after leading Swans Creek Elementary for the past nine years and was recently appointed the inaugural principal of “Potomac Shores” Elementary School, scheduled to open in August 2027. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to fostering high-quality learning environments that support student achievement, staff growth, and strong community partnerships.

Mrs. Whitney earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Elementary Education from Marymount University and a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision PreK-12 from the University of Mary Washington. She is a member of the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals and was recognized by the association in 2017 as the Virginia Outstanding Assistant Principal.

Mrs. Whitney is passionate about instructional leadership, building positive school cultures, developing future leaders, and engaging families as partners in education. Her professional interests include student-centered learning, early childhood and special education best practices, family and community engagement, and creating innovative educational opportunities that prepare students for thriving and successful futures.

Brooke LeVecchi has dedicated more than 25 years to Prince William County Public Schools, serving as a classroom teacher, instructional technology coach, assistant principal, and principal. She currently serves as the founding principal of Woodbridge Elementary School, where she is leading the opening of the division’s newest elementary school with a focus on innovation, design thinking, belonging, and inclusive practices.

Brooke earned her educational leadership credentials through George Mason University and is committed to developing collaborative school cultures that support high levels of learning for every student. Throughout her career, she has led school improvement efforts focused on instructional excellence, inclusive education, literacy achievement, and student engagement. Under her leadership at her previous elementary school, the school received the Virginia Department of Education’s Continuous Improvement Award for significant gains in student achievement.

She is an active member of the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals, partners with the Virginia Commonwealth University Resident Teacher Program, and serves on PWCS’ LEADs Committee to help identify and recommend future school leaders. She also collaborates with Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University to mentor preservice teachers entering the profession.

Brooke’s professional interests include implementing innovative, evidence-based practices that strengthen school culture, foster collaboration, and support student growth and achievement. She is passionate about creating positive learning environments where students, staff, and families thrive together.

Inmar Romero has more than a decade of experience in K-12 administration, instructional leadership, and program management. A former PWCS English learner, he has served the division as a teacher at Gar-Field High School, an administrator at Independence Nontraditional School, and, since 2022, principal of Fred Lynn Middle School. In this role, he has led school improvement efforts that advanced the school from accredited with conditions to full accreditation while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and student success.

A bilingual and transformational leader, Mr. Romero brings expertise in strategic planning, staff development, Title I program management, curriculum implementation, and equity-driven educational initiatives. He has guided diverse learning communities, supervised multidisciplinary instructional teams, and developed programs that strengthen student achievement, graduation outcomes, and family engagement.

Mr. Romero holds two Master of Education degrees from George Mason University in Educational Leadership and Administration and in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Multilingual and Cultural Education, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from James Madison University. He is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University, with anticipated completion in May 2029. He also attended the School of Turnaround Leader Training at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and is a member of the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals.

Recognized for his commitment to educational excellence, cultural responsiveness, and inclusive leadership, Mr. Romero continues to champion opportunities that empower students, educators, and communities to achieve their highest potential. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.

Dr. Yushica T. Walker is principal of Graham Park Middle School in Prince William County Public Schools and is entering her 31st year in education. Her career has focused on advancing student achievement, cultivating educator excellence, and building inclusive learning communities. Her professional experience spans Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, and South Korea through the Department of Defense Education Activity, providing her with experience across diverse educational environments and student populations.

Prior to serving in school and district leadership roles, Dr. Walker dedicated 18 years to elementary and middle school education, teaching across the core academic content areas. As a Master Mentor Teacher and instructional leader, she supported educator development, led instructional initiatives, contributed to curriculum implementation, and advanced continuous school improvement efforts focused on student growth and achievement.

Throughout her career, Dr. Walker has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, at-risk coordinator, and educational leader. Her leadership philosophy centers on strong relationships, high expectations, equity, and excellence for all learners and on creating safe, supportive, and engaging learning environments where students, staff, and families feel valued and empowered.

As a military spouse for nearly 24 years, Dr. Walker brings a deep understanding of the strengths and needs of military-connected students and families. Her experiences supporting military communities in the United States and abroad have strengthened her commitment to ensuring every student feels connected, supported, and prepared for success.

A native of Texas, Dr. Walker is also a wife and mother of two sons. Guided by a lifelong passion for education and service, she remains committed to developing future leaders and making a lasting impact on students, families, and educators.

Mr. Jeremy Byrd has proudly served Prince William County Public Schools since 2011 and currently serves as the principal of Saunders Middle School. Prior to joining PWCS, he spent 15 years in North Carolina as a classroom teacher and department chair, building a strong foundation in instructional leadership, curriculum development, and student achievement.

Mr. Byrd earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Taylor University and later completed a Master of School Administration degree from Appalachian State University in 2009. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to continuous learning and professional growth. He is an active member of the National Principals Association and currently represents PWCS as a participant in the University of Virginia School of Education’s Statewide Communities of Practice for Excellence (SCOPE) leadership program.

As an educator and school leader, Mr. Byrd is passionate about fostering positive school cultures, supporting instructional excellence, and helping students reach their full potential. Outside of school, he enjoys reading books on leadership, psychology, and education. He is also an avid runner and treasures spending quality time with his family. Mr. Byrd considers it a privilege to serve students, staff, and families in the Saunders Middle School community.

Rose Moore has dedicated 23 years to education and joined Prince William County Public Schools in August 2024 as principal of Woodbridge Middle School. Originally from Ohio, she has served students in Virginia school divisions since 2004 as a mathematics teacher, instructional coach, central office mathematics supervisor, and assistant principal. She is committed to high-quality instruction, meaningful learning opportunities for every student, and building the capacity of teachers and school leaders.

Ms. Moore earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Akron, a Master of Education in Mathematics Leadership from George Mason University, and an endorsement in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia. She values continuous professional growth and collaborative leadership that empowers educators and students alike.

Outside of school, Rose enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, daughter, and their family dogs. She loves exploring national and state parks through hiking and also enjoys running, reading, crafting, and cooking.

Cassandra Crawford has 24 years of experience in education and has dedicated her career to fostering student success, teacher development, and inclusive school communities. She began at C.D. Hylton High School in 2002 as an English/Language Arts teacher. During her first nine years at Hylton, she earned National Board Certification and served as a Collaborative Learning Team lead, department chair, and Freshman Academy coordinator. She also supported PWCS as a Certified Local Trainer and Diversity Awareness Trainer, helping develop and mentor new educators.

Ms. Crawford served as assistant principal at Osbourn Park High School from 2011 to 2015 and as summer school principal at Stonewall Middle School, now Unity Braxton Middle School, and Stonewall High School, now Unity Reed High School. In 2015, she joined Spotsylvania County Public Schools, serving as assistant principal at Riverbend and Spotsylvania High Schools before becoming principal of Chancellor High School in 2020, where she led the school to full accreditation.

In July 2022, Ms. Crawford returned to PWCS as principal of C.D. Hylton High School. She is a member of the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals, is trauma-informed trained, and is passionate about supporting the success and belonging of underrepresented student groups through equitable and student-centered educational practices.

David Van Gelder has dedicated more than 22 years to Prince William County Public Schools and currently serves as principal of Patriot High School. Over the course of his career, he has progressed through a variety of educational leadership roles, serving as a band director at Patriot and Potomac High Schools before becoming an administrative intern, assistant principal, summer school principal, and now principal. Throughout these roles, he has remained committed to fostering a culture of excellence, belonging, and continuous improvement while supporting students, staff, and the broader school community.

Originally from Upstate New York, Mr. Van Gelder earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Ithaca College. He later completed post-master’s work in educational leadership and administration at The George Washington University.

Mr. Van Gelder is an active member of the National Principals Association, serves on the PWCS LEADS Committee, and has contributed to numerous leadership and curriculum initiatives throughout the division. His professional interests include leadership development, school culture, student achievement, and organizational effectiveness.

Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, traveling, and exploring new adventures.

Milagros Vélez is entering her third year as principal of Unity Reed High School and brings 17 years of experience in education, including 10 years with Prince William County Public Schools. She began her career through the New York City Teaching Fellows Program as a high school mathematics teacher in the Bronx, New York. Since then, she has served students and families in New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia in teaching and leadership roles, including as assistant principal at Gar-Field High School in PWCS and Propel Montour High School in Pennsylvania.

As a first-generation college graduate, Ms. Vélez is committed to ensuring every student has access to high-quality learning opportunities and the support needed to thrive. She believes strong relationships, collaboration, and collective efficacy are the foundation of student success and school excellence. Guided by Unity Reed’s motto, Strength in Unity, she cultivates a culture where staff, students, and families work together so every Lion in the Pride thrives beyond high school.

Ms. Vélez holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education and a Master of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education from the City College of New York. She is an active member of the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals, National Principals Association, and Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents. She is also a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Statewide Communities of Practice for Excellence (SCOPE) Cohort 18 leadership program.

Outside of school, Ms. Vélez embraces lifelong learning through travel and reading, prioritizes wellness, and values spending quality time with her family.