School Principal Search
Jennifer Hamilton has been selected as principal for Mount Vernon Community School, effective July 31, 2023.
July 20, 2023
Dear MVCS Community,
It is with great pride and honor to share that I have been selected as the new principal of Mount Vernon Community School (MVCS)! I am deeply committed to our students, staff, community and program, and I am grateful for the trust that Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) has in my ability to guide the school community through this transition. My new position will begin on July 31, 2023.
I know we will continue building upon the excellence that has defined MVCS over the last several years to become a model dual language school that embodies the three pillars of dual language education–high levels of student achievement, bilingualism and biliteracy, and sociocultural competence– as we develop the next generation of multilingual leaders for our diverse and ever-changing world.
I am here to support the growth and well-being of our students, and to foster an environment where they can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
Let us strive ahead with determination and a collective commitment to continue providing an exceptional education for our students, empowering them to become responsible global citizens and future leaders.
Thank you for this opportunity to serve our students and community. I am honored to serve as your principal, and excited to embark on this next chapter together!
Sincerely,
Jen Hamilton
Mount Vernon Community School Principal Search
Stakeholder Communications
June 26, 2023
Dear Mount Vernon Community School Stakeholders,
The time has come to select the next principal for Mount Vernon Community School (MVCS). We look forward to working with staff, families, students and the broader school community to find and retain the best candidate for this important position. Family and community involvement in this process is crucial.
The position has been posted, and I have asked John Porter and Rene Paschal to assist with the search and hiring process. Some of you may know Mr. Porter as he has served in many roles in ACPS, including as high school principal and assistant superintendent, before retiring in 2009. Mr. Paschal currently serves as our acting executive director of Human Resources and had previously served as the principal of Samuel Tucker Elementary School before transitioning to his current role.
The online survey is one of the first steps in this search process. The team will use your thoughts and comments to develop a Principal Leadership Profile which will help guide candidates and interview panels throughout the process.
Parents/guardians and staff will also have representation on interview panels as the process narrows the candidate field to two finalists who will be invited to meet-and-greet webinars to be scheduled separately with staff and the MVCS community. After the meet and greet sessions, MVCS staff, families and community members will be encouraged to provide thoughts and comments about the finalists via a Google form that will be provided at the webinars and shard online via this MVCS website. Input from stakeholders will be compiled and shared with me prior to a final decision being confirmed.
We expect to have a new principal in place before the start of the new school year.
The MVCS principal search webpage will include important documents and updates throughout this process—job description, timeline, principal leadership profile and other updates. I encourage you to check this webpage regularly for important information. You may also contact john.porter@acps.k12.va.us or rene.paschal@acps.k12.va.us with questions as this work proceeds.
We look forward to engaging you in this process as we move MVCS forward to its next exciting chapter in support of our amazing students.
Sincerely,
Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt
Interim Superintendent of Schools
Search Timeline
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June 26, 2023—Principal Letter To Community/Communicate Process to Stakeholders and post job description
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June 26, 2023— Post online survey for staff, parents, students, and community members.
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June 28, 2023—First Round Panel Interviews. The goal is to narrow the field of candidates for second round interviews.
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June 29, 2023—Online survey closes at 9:00 AM.
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June 30, 2023—Post Leadership Profile based on survey results. Application review to select five to seven candidates for first round panel interviews.\
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July 6, 2023—Second Round Panel Interviews. The goal is to narrow the field to two finalists.
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July 10, 2023—Finalists Meet and Greet Staff and PTA/Community. Two separate virtual webinars are held. The community webinar is posted online for three days.
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July 10-12, 2023—Staff and parents/community provide feedback on finalists from virtual meet and greet sessions.
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July 13, 2023—Individual interviews of two finalists with the superintendent of schools.
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July 20, 2023—ACPS Special Called School Board Meeting.