West Gate principal to become an associate superintendent for PWC schools

Acclaimed West Gate Elementary School Principal Craig Gfeller will share his educational leadership skills with students, teachers, and administrators Divisionwide as the newly named Associate Superintendent for Eastern Elementary Schools beginning July 1.

Gfeller will oversee 19 schools and serve as a member of the Superintendent’s Staff in shaping teaching, learning, and related services across the county. He assumes the post being vacated by Rita Goss, who moves July 1 from Associate Superintendent for Eastern Elementary Schools to Associate Superintendent overseeing the Division’s massive Student Learning and Accountability operation.

Gfeller led West Gate from one of the Division’s lower-performing schools to earning “PWCS School of Excellence” status in just two years. He fostered a team approach that enabled teachers, staff, and parents to help students master required subjects at the same time most were working to learn English as their second language. Test scores rose dramatically, earning West Gate and Gfeller widespread respect, recognition, and a visit from Virginia’s Governor.

“It’s not only showing they’re meeting their numbers, they’re excelling; what they’ve done here at West Gate with the Bulldogs is extraordinary,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe, after touring West Gate, meeting students, staff, and Principal Gfeller back in April.

PWCS Superintendent Dr. Steven Walts says Gfeller will be a powerful addition to his leadership team. “He made a tremendous impact at West Gate and I am excited that he will have the chance to share the energy and expertise that produced that success with many more of our schools and our students, said Walts

​“I believe the highest duty of a leader is to create conditions to help others succeed,” said Gfeller.

The newly named Associate Superintendent holds an Ed.D. in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, and taught and served as a school administrator in Fairfax County, prior to becoming West Gate principal in 2012.