Collage of five smiling professional headshots on a blue background with curved gold and white accents.PWCS is proud to announce the five individuals selected to participate in the inaugural PWCS principal residency program for the 2026–27 school year. This innovative, job‑embedded leadership experience is designed to develop the next generation of school leaders through guided mentorship, real‑world principal responsibilities, and deep instructional learning aligned with the Elevate 2030 Strategic Plan.

The Principal Residency Program places aspiring principals in a year‑long residency alongside experienced principal mentors, providing immersive leadership experiences while strengthening school communities and expanding leadership capacity across the division.

Each member of the program’s first cohort brings a wealth of experience, a commitment to equity and excellence, and a passion for serving students, staff, and families.

The following are profiles of each principal resident:

Monica Charles Williams

Residency Site: Osbourn Park High School

Resident Principal Mentor: Lisamarie Kane, Principal, Osbourn Park High School

With more than 17 years of experience in public education, Monica Charles Williams brings a strong instructional and student‑centered leadership background to her residency. She is currently an assistant principal at Potomac High School and previously served in administrative roles at McLean High School and Westfield High School in Fairfax County Public Schools.

Williams has led collaborative learning teams, strengthened observation and feedback practices, and supported data‑driven instruction to close achievement gaps. A former high school special education teacher, she holds licenses in administration and supervision, English, and special education (PreK–12), with deep expertise in inclusive practices and compliance.

Known for her relationship‑centered leadership style, Williams is committed to fostering safe, inclusive school communities and expanding access to advanced coursework for all students.

Maricela Arboleda

Residency Site: Minnieville Elementary School

Resident Principal Mentor: Deb Ellis, Principal, Minnieville Elementary School

Maricela Arboleda’s leadership journey is deeply rooted in her personal and professional experiences in Prince William County. After immigrating from El Salvador at the age of 7, she began her education in PWCS as a third‑grade teacher at Triangle Elementary School—an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to equity and student success.

Arboleda taught third and fifth grades in PWCS before serving for 11 years at Lake Ridge Elementary as a teacher and school leader. She has spent the past three and a half years as assistant principal at Occoquan Elementary School, where she is recognized for her collaborative leadership, strong instructional focus, and meaningful partnerships with families.

She holds degrees from Radford University and the University of Virginia and is known for building supportive school cultures where students feel safe, valued, and capable of success.

Emily Utter

Residency Site: Lake Ridge Middle School

Resident Principal Mentor: Jim Dutrow, Principal, Lake Ridge Middle School

Emily Utter brings extensive instructional and administrative experience across multiple levels of education. She holds a Master of Education in educational leadership from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan.

Utter has served as assistant principal at both Patriot and Forest Park High Schools and previously supported the division as supervisor of K–12 health, physical education, and driver education programs for the school division. She has also served as a summer school assistant principal at Graham Park Middle School.

A proud PWCS parent, Utter is dedicated to relationship‑driven leadership that supports students, staff, and families and helps every learner thrive.

Theresa Lewis

Residency Site: Porter Traditional School

Resident Principal Mentor: Kaitlyn Englemeier, Principal, Porter Traditional School

With more than twenty years of experience in public education, Theresa Lewis brings a deep commitment to equity, instructional excellence, and servant leadership to the role of Principal Resident.
 
She currently serves as the assistant principal at Lake Ridge Elementary School and has held leadership roles across elementary, middle, and division levels. Lewis taught English at the secondary level before serving as a tenured university professor, where she prepared prospective and practicing teachers in culturally responsive pedagogy and literacy instruction. She later worked as an instructional specialist and supervisor of minority achievement in Arlington Public Schools. Committed to leading with joy, clarity, and collaboration, she is dedicated to building school communities where students feel safe, valued, and capable, and where educators are supported as learners and leaders.
 
Lewis holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Florida and is currently completing a reading endorsement at the University of Virginia.
Lucy Jensen

Residency Site: Tyler Elementary School

Resident Principal Mentor: Jen Perilla, Principal, Tyler Elementary School

Lucy Jensen brings more than two decades of experience in PWCS, including 12 years as a classroom teacher and 11 years in school administration. She taught grades three through five at King and Minnieville Elementary Schools and played a key role in implementing co‑teaching models for English learners and special education students.

Jensen has served as an administrative intern and assistant principal at Mountain View Elementary School, where she developed strong partnerships with families and supported professional learning communities across the division.

Outside of school, Jensen and her family are active in community engagement and mentorship efforts, reflecting her belief that strong relationships are at the heart of student success.

The PWCS Principal Residency Program strengthens leadership pipelines, supports school communities, and ensures continuity and excellence across the division. Congratulations to this outstanding group of educators whose leadership journeys will help shape the future of PWCS.