Two schools have new principals

Two schools in the Annandale/Mason District area have new principals.

Raven Jones is the new principal at Luther Jackson Middle School, and Taiia Clarke will start work as principal of Beech Tree Elementary School on Nov. 14.

Jones was formerly the administrator of Fairfax County Public Schools’ Montrose Alternative Learning Center in Alexandria. Before that, she was director of student services at Woodbridge Middle School in Prince William County and also worked at schools in Louisville, Ky., and Duval County, Fla.

The former principal at Luther Jackson, Michael Magliola, is now principal of Winston Churchill International Baccalaureate Middle School in Carmichael, Calif.

Clarke is currently the assistant principal at Glen Forest Elementary School in Bailey’s Crossroads. She has 19 years of experience as an educator and eight years as a school administrator, including a stint as assistant principal in Hampton, Va.

“Clarke is a compassionate leader who believes in building the capacity of staff and students,” says Fabio Zuluaga, assistant superintendent for Region 2. “She is experienced in leading collaborative teams that include special education and EL teachers, ensuring accommodations and supports are in place for all students.”

She succeeds Karim Daugherty, who served as Beech Tree’s principal since 2013 and is now the principal of Oak Street Elementary School in the City of Falls Church.