As the school year at Fairfax's Oak View Elementary comes to a close, students, parents and teachers say good-bye to one beloved principal while welcoming another one. Deborah Lane, who currently serves as assistant principal of Oak View, will become the new principal, while outgoing principal Greg Lock will retire from the Fairfax County Public Schools system.
Both said they're looking forward what awaits them next school year. Lane will serve her second year at Oak View, while Lock will become an upper elementary school principal in Beijing, China.
"I feel so fortunate to be following in his footsteps," said Lane of Lock.
ALTHOUGH LANE was a business major in college, she wanted to find a career that used her people person skills.
"It's just so inspirational to work with children and watch that happen: learning, social skills, all those good things," Lane said.
For six years, Lane has served as assistant principal in Fairfax County Public Schools. As she remains at Oak View but becomes its principal, she looks forward to the challenges that the new position will bring.
"I am ready to start a new chapter with Oak View," Lane said during the announcement ceremony.
Besides continuing to reach Standards of Learning (SOL) objectives, Lane also hopes to improve technology within the school. She recently worked with parents to create a summer science camp.
"I want to make opportunities happen for children not achieving in areas of potential they should be achieving in," Lane said.
Those who know Lane are thrilled that she will be the next principal at Oak View.
"She has been a star administrator in Fairfax County for a long time, and I think the school is very lucky to get her as our principal," said Lock.
Cluster IV director Ann Monday agreed. "She's just an exceptional person," Monday said. "Exceedingly bright, very creative, and absolutely desires to serve."
Although Lane's schedule will pick up pace next year, in her spare time, she likes to spend time with her family. She also hopes to train for a marathon. The last one she ran was three years ago.
"Everybody's breathing a sigh of relief. We got exactly what we wanted," said outgoing PTA president Jocelyn Breeland, who worked with Lane to coordinate the science camp.
TO CELEBRATE LOCK'S DEPARTURE, Oak View arranged for Lock to present the last day of school's morning announcements from a hot air balloon. The offbeat gesture exemplified the relationship Lock has with his students and colleagues at the school.
"He's been fantastic. It's really amazing. He's got incredible energy, and wants to try new things," Breeland said.
After 12 years as Oak View's principal and 30 years in the educational field, Lock is retiring from Fairfax County Public Schools. However, he will continue to remain in education, as the principal of an upper elementary international school in Beijing, China.
"I was attracted to this one because it was unique," said Lock, who added that he always had an interest in international education, including being a Fulbright scholar in the 1980s.
Lock, known for his sense of humor and his funny ties, also supported knowing students' parents and the wider community. When the school was fundraising for a new outdoor track, he consistently called and e-mailed Breeland to track the project's progress, and eventually took over the project himself. He also consoled students and families during Sept. 11 and when two parent deaths occurred during the school year.
"It's just been everything but normal. But he's great, he's been completely unflappable," Breeland said.
"We're going to miss having him around," she said.