Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year at Fitzgerald Elementary

Dear Fitzgerald Families,

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! I hope your summer has been filled with joy, rest, and special moments with family. It is with great excitement that I welcome you back to another outstanding year at Fitzgerald Elementary. This year marks my sixth year serving as the proud principal of this incredible school community, and I remain grateful for the opportunity to partner with you in supporting our students' success.

Our theme for this school year is TEAM FITZGERALD. Just like a great team, we achieve more when we work together, support one another, and stay focused on a common goal. TEAM FITZGERALD reflects our belief that students, families, and staff each play an important role in helping every child succeed.

This theme aligns closely with our vision of "A Place to Connect, Experience, and Thrive." We want every student and family to feel connected to our school community, experience engaging and meaningful learning opportunities, and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Together, we will continue Lighting the Way to the Future for every Fitzgerald student.

Over the past several years, our school has experienced many successes. We have continued to increase student achievement in both reading and mathematics, expanded targeted supports through programs such as Core Extension and tutoring, strengthened collaborative teaching practices for multilingual learners and students with disabilities, and increased family engagement opportunities that support student learning. Our commitment to continuous improvement has allowed us to build strong systems that help students grow and succeed.

This year, we will continue focusing on several key priorities:

1. Increasing student achievement in reading, writing, mathematics, and science.
2. Strengthening supports for multilingual learners and students with disabilities.
3. Expanding opportunities for students to engage in meaningful problem-solving, critical thinking, and written responses.
4. Providing targeted interventions and enrichment opportunities to meet the needs of all learners.
5. Strengthening our partnership with families through communication, engagement opportunities, and shared responsibility for student success.

Thank you for being an important part of TEAM FITZGERALD. Together, we will continue to connect, experience, thrive, and light the way to the future.

Sincerely,

George Wright

Principal

Fannie W. Fitzgerald Elementary School

Dear Fitzgerald community:

I am humbled and thrilled to join the Fitzgerald family as your new Assistant Principal!

I am a compassionate and motivated English Language Learner from Sierra Leone, and I bring with me a diverse skill set with a global perspective.

I started my postsecondary education in Freetown Sierra Leone, where I earned a Higher Teachers Certificate at the Milton Margai College of Education. Upon migrating to the United States in August 1999 due to a civil war in my home country Sierra Leone. I attended The Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, Virginia, and graduated with Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. To pursue my love for teaching and learning, I transferred to George Mason University where I earned my undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education Administration, a Master of Education in Early Childhood Special Education, and a Master of Education in Education Leadership.

Prior to working with Prince William County Public Schools as an Early Childhood Special Educator, I worked with Fairfax County Office for Children for almost eleven years in different capacities. Until my recent calling to join all stakeholders in "Lighting the way to the future" at Fitzgerald, Leesylvania Elementary School has been my home for several years. Although I will miss Leesylvania school community tremendously, I look forward to embracing my new family and "Together, we will do great things" (George Wright - Principal, Fitzgerald Elementary School).

My philosophy is that of a student-centered approach. I firmly believe that all children can learn, and given equal access and opportunities, all students will gain required knowledge and skills. In addition to making a positive impact on student academic progress, I look forward to serving the Fitzgerald community by creating a safe, collaborative and inclusive learning environment through a child-centered social-emotional development, Professional Learning Communities, effective communication, and parental engagement, while building relationships with all stakeholders.

Sallay Banya
Assistant Principal
Fitzgerald Elementary School

To the Fitzgerald school community, 

I am honored and excited to join the Fitzgerald family as your new Assistant Principal. I cannot wait to meet with students, staff, and families and look forward to “Lighting the Way to the Future” with you.

I grew up in Nanuet, New York, a small town outside of New York City and eventually moved to Virginia to study elementary education at James Madison University. It was there that I met my amazing wife, who is also an educator in Prince William County. This past August, we welcomed our first child, a baby boy named Shay to the world, and it has been a truly incredible experience being a dad over the last several months.

I’ve been a teacher for 9 years and have taught in the 2nd, 4th, and 5th grade. In the classroom, it was always my goal to create a tight-knit community and to instill a love of learning in each of my students. I’ve learned that this occurs by setting high expectations, building strong relationships, and working closely with your Professional Learning Community to deliver instruction that is authentic, engaging, and relevant to the learners in front of you.

Elementary education is the foundation of our educational journey as students, and I firmly believe that it is our responsibility as a school community to start our learners off on the right path. We have the power to make school a place where students can learn, have fun, and feel safe and cared for. As assistant principal, I look forward to collaborating with you and the amazing staff at Fitzgerald to help ensure that your child has a memorable experience here and shines along the way.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, or concerns.

My door is always open, and I look forward to "Lighting the Way to the Future" with you. Please contact me at [email protected] or 703-583-4195

Robert Harrington
Assistant Principal
Fitzgerald Elementary School

Welcome to Ms. Laura Colombo – Our New Administrative Intern

To the Fitzgerald school community,

My name is Laura Colombo, and I am incredibly excited and grateful to be joining your family as the Administrative Intern for this school year. I look forward to learning alongside this amazing team of staff and students!

I'm originally from just outside Cleveland, Ohio, where my family still resides. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, with a focus in Special Education – Learning Disabilities, from Michigan State University. After college, I moved to Fairfax County, where I’ve just completed my 15th year in the school system.

Over the years, I’ve worked in two elementary schools—first as a special education teacher, and later as a Special Education Department Chair. As a case manager, I’ve taught inclusion across all elementary grade levels, as well as led a self-contained classroom. In my department chair role, I also supported preschool and elementary autism classrooms.

I completed my master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at George Mason University and earned a certificate in Administration and Supervision from James Madison University. Last year, I served as an Acting Assistant Principal in Fairfax County—a role that deepened my passion for leadership and affirmed my decision to pursue school administration.

I’m truly excited to get to know you and to witness firsthand the incredible impact Fitzgerald has on its lucky students. Outside of school, I love spending time reading, enjoying family life, and showing dogs.

Looking forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Sincerely,

Laura Colombo

Administrative Intern

Fitzgerald Elementary School

Phone 703-583-4195

Fax 703-583-4197