Tonya Cox has spent much of her life in the Lorton area. In 1975, Cox's family moved to the southeastern part of Fairfax County, when she was entering third grade. As the current principal of Gunston Elementary, she has spent her much of career in the area, working in Lorton since 1997.
Cox, a mother of three — Jessica, 11; Ashley , 12; and Ben, 13 — lives with her husband Steve. A graduate of West Potomac and Groveton high schools, Cox earned a B.S. in education from James Madison University and M.Ed. in school administration from George Mason University.
As an educator, parent and principal, Cox is aware of the many challenges facing her students and families in Northern Virginia. She shares some of her thoughts on this subject in this People Profile.
What was your first job? At 15, I began working in the public library as a page, shelving books.
Activities/interest/hobbies. Knitting, boating, traveling, reading.
Favorite local restaurants. Bar J, a Tex-Mex restaurant in Woodbridge.
Community concerns. The high cost of living in this area often requires parents to work, sometimes extra jobs, limiting their availability for their children.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up? A physical therapist or a minister.
Community "hidden treasure" you think more people should know about. The Potomac River has so much to offer, from beautiful sunrises to great seafood restaurants, from boating to hiking trails. It's a great place to relax and wind down.
Personal goals. Eventually, I would like to work toward earning my doctoral degree. For now, maintaining my close relationship with my children and developing their independence as they grow into young adults is my priority.
How did you begin working in the education field? I always wanted to work with children, even when I thought I would be a physical therapist. When I began substituting in FCPS classes on breaks from college, I began to realize education was the field for me. Walking into school every day for me is like a battery being charged. There is an energy that the kids bring to me that can't be beat.
What, in your opinion, is the most important issue facing elementary-school-aged children today? Unsafe neighborhoods. Growing up, I spent so much time outside playing with my friends, exploring the woods, playing kickball at the end of the cul-de-sac and flashlight tag at night. It wasn't unusual for me to walk a half-mile to my friend’s house up the street. Very rarely was the television on in my house. Now, because of fear of abductions, drugs, gangs, etc., we can't allow children to play freely in the neighborhoods without very carefully supervising them. That’s sad.
What do you enjoy most about your job? I love watching students and staff get excited about learning.