Principal selection process underway for Poe Middle School

Fairfax County Public Schools is beginning the search for a new principal for Poe Middle School, but many teachers and parents already know who they want for the job – Interim Principal Sarah Eqab.  

They say Eqab, a former assistant principal at Annandale High School, has made a positive difference at Poe, with one teacher calling her a “ray of sunshine” since she arrived in March.

Poe’s former principal, Jason Pannutti, left to accept a job closer to his home. He is now the principal at Navy Elementary in the Fair Oaks area.

Michelle Boyd, the assistant superintendent for Region 6, invited Poe staff, parents, and community members to a virtual meeting on May 22, at 6 p.m., to outline the principal selection process.

An advisory panel – composed of three staff members and three parents or community representatives – will be selected by Region 6 leaders to interview candidates. Anyone interested in serving on the panel should apply here by May 29. The interviews will take place on June 10.

Members of the Poe community are also asked to provide input on the skills, experiences, and leadership characteristics needed at the school and describe the challenges and issues the new principal will need to address.

A Poe parent, Sarah Wysocki, started a petition to urge Region 6 to select Eqab as principal. She says Eqab “cares about the school, knows our community, and has the leadership skills needed to run a school.” Even Wysocki’s sixth-grade daughter has noticed a positive change since Eqab arrived.

She shared several comments from Poe teachers, including the following excerpts:

• Eqab’s knowledge of English as a Second Language programs “is a huge asset to our school, considering our large ESOL population. I have seen her in the halls every day and in my classroom multiple times since she started in March. Her passion for Poe and Annandale is evident in her daily work.”

• “In the short time she has been interim principal, Dr. Eqab has brought much-needed stability and a calming presence to Poe Middle School. We have many challenges, and we need a leader who understands the community, our students, and the needs of the school. … If she is hired as principal, I am confident we can address some of the issues that have led to high teacher turnover in recent years.”

• “She listens to teachers and tries to come up with solutions. Poe has not had this type of principal for many years. Dr. Eqab is a GREAT asset to Poe, and hopefully she can stay.”