Under New Leadership, Woodlawn Elementary Continues To Thrive

Dawn Hendrick is a firm believer in Woodlawn Elementary School’s motto: “None of us is as smart as all of us.”

“We’re all in a team,” she said. “Every single person in this school has to believe that [motto].”

Hendrick began her tenure in July as the new principal at Woodlawn Elementary School. This year marks her 20^th year in Fairfax County, but Hendrick has worked primarily in schools on the Route 1 corridor. She served as assistant principal at Mount Eagle Elementary School since 2004 and left her post to lead Woodlawn Elementary. Prior to that, she was a Title 1 Math Specialist at Riverside Elementary School.

“It’s where my love is,” she said of working in local schools. “I feel like it’s my home.”

Hendrick earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Clarion University in Pennsylvania and her Masters of Education in Educational Research from Bowie State University. She also received her endorsement in Educational Administration from George Mason University. She lives in Alexandria with her husband and two children. Her daughter is an eighth-grader in the Fairfax County Public Schools system.

She noted, “Some people may feel uncomfortable living so close to where they work, but I love being at a grocery store or at a sporting event and seeing my families.”

Hendrick’s connection to the area has helped her transition into her new role at Woodlawn. Stephanie Bisson, her predecessor at Woodlawn Elementary, hired Hendrick as the Title 1 Math Specialist when she was assistant principal at Riverside Elementary.

“It’s great to walk into a team where they’ve already had a connection to me,” she said. “It’s extremely important to me.”

She has grown acclimated to her new school and has been enjoying meeting the parents of Woodlawn Elementary students.

“I am touched at how welcoming parents have been and their powerful comments about how the culture is in this school,” said Hendrick. “At Back to School Night the parents were just so positive.”

Hendrick believes that collaboration among teachers and staff will help achieve goals such as improving test scores. She wants the Mount Vernon community to see that that the Woodlawn community is invested in its students.

“My goal is that people who are not involved as much in the school believe what we see,” she said. I’m glad people are giving us a chance to tell our story. I just want everyone to see what we’ve got. We have high expectations and we want what is best for our children to succeed and learn.”