The Connection

Born in Norfolk and raised in the Alexandria part of Fairfax County, Tonya Cox figured she’d either go into education like her mother or ministry like her father. Then, while in college, she substituted for her mother, during spring and summers, and was hooked. “When I spent time with the special-ed kids, I fell in love with them,” she said. “I loved working with kids and found I had a knack for teaching and a soft spot for kids needing help.” Cox eventually became both a teacher and an administrator and is now the new principal of Fairfax’s Laurel Ridge Elementary. She replaced interim Principal Laura Adams, who was there for a year. When Cox heard about the opening, she interviewed for the job and researched the community to see if she was a good fit for it – and she decided she was. “This school has had a lot of different principals in recent years,” she said. “So I felt it needed consistency, and I hope to stay for a long time.” Cox obtained a bachelor’s in education from JMU and a master’s in Education Leadership from GMU. She’s also certified as a principal and as a K-12 special-education teacher with endorsements in Emotional Disabilities and Learning Disabilities. She taught at four schools before becoming an administrator. “I loved being a teacher; it was very rewarding working with students with emotional and learning disabilities,” said Cox. “I felt like I had a good grasp on working with kids with challenging behaviors. It was like a puzzle, trying to figure out the reason for their behavior and channel it more appropriately.

“I enjoyed the challenge and seeing them change their behavior,” she continued. “So that led me into the administrative track. As a teacher, I felt like I made a difference [to students]; but as an administrator, I could have an impact on a community.” Cox was the assistant principal at William Halley Elementary from October 1997-June 2004 and principal of Gunston Elementary from September 2004- July 2012. “Halley was a very diverse community with lots of needs,” she said. “At one time, we had 950 kids and worked with and helped many families and children in poverty. We even ‘adopted’ families to help at the holidays.” Gunston had an even-higher poverty level but, said Cox, “It was a small-town school where people took care of each other. It was a great school.” While there, she developed an early intervention program for students not meeting grade-level benchmarks in reading and math. Also during her tenure, the achievement gap was decreased in SOL reading and mathematics scores for black and Hispanic children, plus students with disabilities.Then, from July 2012 until this July, Cox coordinated FCPS’s pre-kindergarten through grade 12 Office of Special Education Instruction. “I’d always aspired to work in the central office in special-ed so I could make an even bigger impact, system-wide,” she explained. “I felt I needed a broader view of how FCPS operates, and I knew that experience would make me a better principal someday.” In that position, she learned about the resources available to principals. “Now I know who specifically to call for advice,” she said. “And I have a better perspective on the students’ whole, K-12 experience and how they’re prepared for each, new grade level.” At Laurel Ridge, said Cox, “We have the Combined Services site for special-ed students with challenging behaviors. So I feel that my experience as a teacher and a principal working with these kinds of kids will be of value here.” However, she’s also looking forward to working with different demographics here and having a different experience than at her previous schools. When she found out she got the principal’s post, she was elated. “I was very excited and happy,” said Cox. “Coming from the central office, I was so happy to be back with kids and families.”

“Mrs. Cox brings years of experience as a principal and school administrator to the table,” said PTA President Sandy Glotfelty. “I look forward to building a lasting relationship with her at the wonderful community of Laurel Ridge Elementary.” She began July 1 and even worked with Adams for a couple weeks. Before school ended in June, Cox met with the faculty; she later met with the teaching teams in smaller groups. That way, she said, “I could learn their priorities for their students and for the school, such as major initiatives they want to continue.” Cox believes in doing “whatever it takes; but I also know, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. I feel like my job as a principal is to serve the community, staff, parents and students here. I think this school is awesome and is filled with nice, friendly and helpful people – I love it.” Regarding her leadership philosophy, she said, “Some simple decisions are unilateral. But I’m mostly collaborative and believe in including staff in the leadership process to help make decisions, look at our programs and determine what course we need to take.” She said it’s her responsibility to make sure teachers can advance professionally and students continue to “grow, learn and develop. People don’t work for me, they work with me.” At Laurel Ridge, said Cox, “I want to listen and get a feel for what’s going on and what are the school’s priorities. Probably the most critical thing we do in elementary school is teach kids to read, because it’s the key to unlocking understanding in all other areas.” Calling Laurel Ridge a “high-performing school,” she said most students are doing really well. So her initial focus will be on “building relationships with the staff, parents and students and getting to know their strengths and challenges.” Delighted when the school year finally began, Cox said, “I loved seeing the kids coming in. They were all excited and were happy to see their friends.” As the mother of a 17-year-old, high-school senior, Cox said the toughest part of her new job will be balancing her home and work lives because “your first year in a new school is pretty all-consuming.” But she’s up for the challenge and eager to do it. She’s looking forward to those new relationships and seeing “student and teacher growth, while ensuring that the school always runs smoothly.”