Schools

WSHS Alumnus Returns as Principal

Mark Greenfelder announced his appointment in a letter via Keep in Touch.

Mark Greenfelder, a 1987 graduate of , has been appointed the school's new principal.  He takes over for to become Director of the Office of Professional and Life Skills (OPLS) in the Instructional Services Department with Fairfax County Public Schools.

, and comes to WSHS after serving eight years as principal of .

The announcement came in a letter (copied below), distributed via the district's Keep in Touch email service. 

Find out what's happening in Burkewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Hello Fellow Spartans,

It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself as your new principal, effective December 1st.  As a graduate of West Springfield High School (Class of 1987) and a product of the West Springfield community, I am honored to have been selected for this position:  This is definitely a rare opportunity.  It seems like just yesterday I was walking the hallways (quietly of course) of West Springfield Elementary, causing a little trouble at Washington Irving Middle School,  running on the WSHS track, and graduating on the football field. (Yes, that is actually where graduation was.) As a matter of fact, most of my extended family graduated from WSHS and many still live in the area, so West Springfield is a part of me.  It feels wonderful to be “home” again.

A graduate of Virginia Tech, I have been in education for twenty years, serving as a teacher and administrator at all three levels within FCPS.  I began my career as a teacher at the elementary school for one year, and then at Irving for four and half years before becoming an assistant principal at Greenbrier East Elementary for three years.   I was then fortunate enough to be promoted to the role of sub school principal at Robinson Secondary for four years, serving the class of 2004 as their administrator from their freshman year through graduation.   Upon their graduation I was promoted to Principal of Thoreau Middle School where I have been for eight incredible years.   I believe that my vast array of leadership experiences in different parts of the county and at different levels, along with my deep-rooted connection with the West Springfield community, has prepared me well, and the marriage of my experiences with the vibrant West Springfield community will afford our students enhanced success in current learning opportunities.  I look forward to leading the learning with the outstanding teachers, community, and students that have made WSHS such a truly unique and amazing place.  I have to admit that I am also really looking forward to sitting on the bleachers, once again, cheering the Spartans on and watching the amazing performances from our talented drama and musical groups.

As I begin my transition, I readily welcome feedback from the staff and community.  In the coming weeks I will certainly work with all stakeholders to set up venues for collaborative dialogue.  As a truly reflective practitioner, my leadership philosophy is centered on understanding and responding to the needs of our students through my personal dedication to professional growth and development.  I count on you, my closest stakeholders, to articulate needs and concerns as they arise.  Please know that my door is always open.

I am so grateful to return to West Springfield, but I am most thankful, and humbled, to have been selected to lead in our journey towards continued excellence.  I know that with our investment in each other, and our belief in our students’ success, West Springfield High School’s students will continue to thrive.

Go Spartans! –It feels GREAT saying (or at least writing) that again….

Respectfully,

Mark Greenfelder"



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here