Bruce McDaniel loves being an elementary school principal

Former Nokesville Elementary principal Bruce McDaniel, 67, will become the principal at Pearson Elementary School. in Fauquier County. The veteran administrator will take over for Principal Mark Marchinetti, who has led the school for the past four years.

When McDaniel first learned he would be Pearson’s principal, he felt blessed and excited. “Even after a long career, I welcome this opportunity to continue doing what I love – elementary education,” McDaniel said. “I look forward to working with a great team of teachers as we help prepare these young students who represent our future.”

McDaniel always looks forward to seeing the students and positively influencing their education. “It’s a joy watching them learn and grow, celebrate their achievements, and learn from their mistakes,” he said. He also looks forward to getting to know and work with the H.M. Pearson staff and parents and mentoring the teachers.

In Fauquier Bruce McDaniel has served as principal at both Pierce Elementary School and Grace Miller Elementary School and, most recently, as interim principal at Greenville Elementary School. He has spent the last three years in administrator roles across FCPS, including multiple schools and levels. Before his time in Fauquier, McDaniel worked as an educator for 28 years in Prince William County, 17 of those years as an administrator.

As McDaniel reflects on his time in FCPS, he proudly recalls his first years in Fauquier after being appointed as principal in 2014 at M. M. Pierce Elementary and in 2017 at Grace Miller Elementary. “Together as a team, we had great success in building upon a distinct shared vision while establishing relationships which led to a positive learning climate and increased standardized testing scores for these young students,” he recalls.

Looking forward, McDaniel is committed to fostering a supportive learning environment and maintaining positive relationships with students, parents, and the community. Most of all, McDaniel is a champion for students.

“We want our students to know we all care and want them to feel safe, confident, and thrive in their academic achievement,” he said. “We want to celebrate their achievements and want them to enjoy the journey. We hope to help them recognize their potential and build upon the fundamentals of respect, good citizenship, kindness and responsibility.”

McDaniel, a Northern Virginia native, comes from a family of educators. His mother taught first grade for 40+ years, and two of his aunts also taught elementary education, as well as his sister, Jane Todd, who recently retired from FCPS. His two nieces, Maggie Todd and Amy Snyder, are elementary teachers. Maggie teaches at Warrenton Middle School, and Amy teaches in Stafford County.

McDaniel earned a bachelor’s degree in health, driver’s education and physical education from Carson-Newman University and a master’s degree in administration and supervision from George Mason University.

In his spare time, McDaniel enjoys staying active by playing golf and traveling with his wife, Sue.