PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Three principals in Prince William County have been named Cahn Fellows.
Jim Dutrow from Lake Ridge Middle School, Kaitlyn Engelmeier-Foor from Porter Traditional School, and Heather Goode from Sinclair Elementary School, have been selected to take part in the Cahn Distinguished Principals Fellowship for 2024-25.
A total of 70 principals were chosen nationwide.
The Cahn Fellows program recognizes and supports excellence in education by supporting effective school leaders. The fellowship offers principals opportunities for professional, intellectual, and personal growth.
To be eligible for the Cahn Fellows program, candidates must be nominated by the school division’s supervisory administrators and complete five years as a principal.
Here's a closer look at the winners.
Kaitlyn Engelmeier-Foor
- Kaitlyn Engelmeier-Foor, principal of Porter Traditional School, has over 18 years of experience as an educator and is passionate about fostering a collaborative and student-focused environment.
- One of her recommenders for the Cahn Fellows program had the following praise for Engelmeier-Foor, “Mrs. Engelmeier-Foor has created an environment that promotes and celebrates student and staff success. She responds to the needs of students, staff, and families and has created a safe and positive environment where the rigor of academic expectations is evident from the moment someone arrives at Porter Traditional.”
- Under her leadership, U.S. News and World Report ranked Porter the number one middle school in Virginia based on performance on state required assessments.
Heather Goode
- Heather Goode, principal at Sinclair Elementary School, is a passionate and accomplished educational leader. With decades of experience and a commitment to excellence, she has significantly impacted her school community.
- Recommendations submitted for the Cahn Fellows program for Goode reflect the qualities that make her an example of what a school leader entails. “Mrs. Goode has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, unwavering dedication, and a profound commitment to academic excellence and community engagement. She has shown a remarkable ability to build strong relationships and create conditions where each student can thrive.”
Jim Dutrow
- Jim Dutrow is an accomplished and dedicated principal with over 23 years of experience as an educator. He has held various roles during his tenure in PWCS, including currently serving as the principal at Lake Ridge Middle School.
- One of his recommenders for the Cahn Fellowship program shared, “Mr. Dutrow welcomes feedback and ideas from all stakeholders and his timely responsiveness and openness to feedback contribute to a thriving school community. He always demonstrates a high level of professional conduct. He is commended for his collaboration with principals and leaders at all levels.”
- Under his leadership, the school has received numerous national, state, and regional accolades. Notably, it has been recognized as the Best Middle School by US News and World Report and achieved significant improvements in academic achievement and pass rates on Stands of Learning exams. Most recently, Dutrow was named the PWCS Principal of the Year.
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