Reed
Gillespie
has
been
appointed
principal
of
the
Virtual
Learning
Program
for
Grades
K-8
in
Prince
William
County
Public
Schools
(PWCS).
Gillespie
joins
PWCS
from
Albemarle
County
Public
Schools,
where
he
served
as
principal
of
the
Virtual
K-12
School.
"As
principal
for
the
Virtual
K-8
Program,
I
will
have
an
opportunity
to
provide
leadership
in
maintaining
a
vision,
direction,
and
focus
on
student
achievement,"
said
Gillespie.
"I
will
create
a
culture
where
students
are
academically
challenged
by
teachers
who
are
encouraged
to
innovate."
Gillespie
comes
to
PWCS
with
28
years
of
experience
as
an
educator,
13
of
those
serving
in
administrative
roles.
Most
recently,
as
the
principal
of
Albemarle
County's
K-12
Virtual
School,
Gillespie
was
responsible
for
leading
and
developing
a
fully
virtual
school
that
served
375
students.
Gillespie's
career
in
education
began
in
1994
as
a
teacher
of
students
with
special
needs
at
the
Cedars
Academy
in
Delaware.
He
came
to
Virginia
in
1995
as
a
social
studies
teacher
at
Rappahannock
County
High
School
in
Washington,
Virginia,
and
then
at
Kettle
Run
High
School
in
Fauquier
County
Public
Schools.
In
2015,
Gillespie
became
associate
principal
at
Monticello
High
School
in
Albemarle
County
and
then
in
2020
at
Western
Albemarle
High
School.
In
2021,
he
became
principal
of
the
Albemarle
Virtual
School.
Gillespie
holds
a
bachelor's
degree
in
interdisciplinary
social
studies
from
Wittenberg
University
and
a
master's
in
educational
administration
from
Shenandoah
University.
Following
is
a
letter
from
Mr.
Gillespie
to
students
and
their
families
previously
admitted
to
the
Virtual
Academy:
Greetings,
Welcome
to
Prince
William
County's
K-8
Virtual
Academy!
We
look
forward
to
providing
your
child
with
an
outstanding
student-centered
educational
experience.
Our
goal
is
to
provide
all
our
students
with
a
challenging,
engaging,
and
supportive
learning
environment
that
will
enhance
their
self-confidence,
personal
growth,
and
academic
achievement.
Over
the
next
few
weeks,
we
hope
to
connect
with
you
on
a
more
personal
level
through
Zoom
gatherings,
personal
emails,
and
phone
calls.
We
are
always
available
to
our
students
and
families.
We
can
be
reached
at
571-261-5376.
I
am
excited
to
begin
my
first
year
in
Prince
William
County
Public
Schools.
This
past
academic
year,
I
served
as
Albemarle
County's
K-12
Virtual
School
Principal.
I
saw
firsthand
the
value
of
virtual
school
for
students
and
families
as
students
thrived
academically,
emotionally,
and
socially.
In
traditional
schools,
some
students
are
overwhelmed
with
social,
behavioral,
and
health
issues.
Virtual
school
allows
students
to
take
ownership
of
their
lives
and
to
become
more
independent.
We
are
excited
to
offer
your
children
this
great
opportunity!
One
of
the
greatest
benefits
of
virtual
learning
is
it
allows
for
greater
family
engagement.
Parents
and
guardians
become
partners
with
our
virtual
school
educators,
often
having
daily
interactions
with
teachers
and
immersing
themselves
in
their
child's
learning.
As
a
virtual
school
parent,
you
can
help
your
child
achieve
and
grow
by
making
it
feel
like
your
child
is
"going"
to
school
by
establishing
routines,
setting
up
a
learning
space,
and
administrating
and
monitoring
their
attendance
and
participation.
One
of
the
most
critical
roles
of
a
parent
is
to
encourage
and
motivate
your
child
to
do
their
best.
I
come
to
Prince
William
County
with
28
years
of
experience.
Before
serving
as
Albemarle
County's
Virtual
School
Principal,
I
was
an
associate
principal
in
the
county
for
six
years.
Prior
to
that
I
was
an
assistant
principal
at
Kettle
Run
High
School
in
Fauquier
County,
where
I
also
taught
and
coached
for
10
years.
Earlier
in
my
career,
I
taught
in
Rappahannock
County
and
at
a
private
boarding
school
for
students
with
special
needs
in
Delaware.
I
grew
up
in
Montgomery
County,
Maryland,
love
all
the
DC
sports
teams,
and
enjoy
outdoor
activities,
reading,
and
cooking.
Finally,
I
have
daughter
who
is
beginning
her
senior
year
at
James
Madison
University.
Over
the
next
few
weeks
you
can
expect
to
receive
more
information
regarding
the
start
of
school,
including
student
schedules,
supply
lists,
and
more.
I
am
honored
to
be
your
child's
virtual
principal.
My
team
and
I
look
forward
to
hearing
from
you
as
we
work
together
to
create
a
virtual
community
that
meets
the
needs
of
each
child.
Sincerely,
Reed
Gillespie
Principal