Orange County students will see two new leaders when school returns in August.
Recently, superintendent Dr. Daniel Hornick announced the hires of James Snyder as the new principal of Locust Grove Elementary School and Allison Ellis as a new assistant principal at Orange County High School.
According to school division leaders, a survey among stakeholders emphasized the Locust Grove community’s desire for a principal who is approachable, has strong communication skills, excels at building trust, sets high expectations for academic achievement and values professional development for teachers. It is believed Snyder meets all of those.
Snyder comes to Orange from Fredericksburg City Public Schools where he was a teacher and administrator. He has experience in leadership at all levels of public education–elementary, middle and high school–and is known for his approachable demeanor and ability to build strong, trusting relationships with students, parents and colleagues.
“His commitment to clear and consistent two-way communication will help ensure that all stakeholders feel heard, respected and valued,” school division administrators said via a press release. “Mr. Snyder believes in setting high expectations for all students and providing the necessary support for them to succeed. He has experience leading the implementation of new instructional programs designed to foster high levels of academic achievement. Recognizing the crucial role of educators, Mr. Snyder is a strong advocate for ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers, fostering a culture of continuous growth and improvement. He champions teacher collaboration and the development of shared leadership models, empowering educators to contribute their expertise to create a dynamic and effective learning environment.”
Snyder said he’s excited for his future as an eagle.
“I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to be the principal of Locust Grove Elementary School and to join the Orange County schools team,” he said. “I look forward to collaborating with the dedicated staff, wonderful families and vibrant community to foster an environment where every student can thrive. Together, we will continue to elevate our school to new heights of excellence and achievement.”
A meet and great opportunity for families and the community will be announced at a future date. Snyder fills the position being vacated by Dr. Eileen Oliver-Eggert who has been the principal of LGES for four years. Her last day is June 12.
“It has been a privilege serving as the principal of Locust Grove Elementary School,” she wrote via a Sunday alert to parents. “Thank you so much for your partnership and support over the last four years. I will miss leading our SOARing Eagles.”
Meanwhile, Ellis brings more than a decade of experience to her role at Orange County High School, along with a deep passion for student success, instructional excellence and leadership development. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and a masters degree in education leadership with concentration as a math specialist from George Mason University. She taught in elementary school for four years before transitioning to the middle school level teaching math, spending five years in Title I schools in Prince William County. She became a math specialist with Stafford County Public Schools in 2001. Ellis recently earned a post-master’s certificate in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.
“Allison’s dedication to student achievement and her commitment to high-quality instruction make her a valuable addition to our team,” Hornick said. “We are excited to welcome her and look forward to the impact she will have on our students and staff.”
According to a school division press release, Ellis is an advocate for education and believes all students can thrive when given the right support and opportunities.
“She is enthusiastic about building strong relationships with students, families and staff and is thrilled to begin this new chapter in Orange County,” the release stated.
