Dear Fort Belvoir Upper students, staff, parents, and community,

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Ms. Jennifer Laxton has been appointed as principal of Fort Belvoir Upper School, effective July 5, 2023.  Ms. Laxton has over 20 years of experience as an educator.  She is currently serving as the Principal of John Braly Elementary School, Santa Clara Unified School District, CA, where she has been a leader since 2020.  Prior to her tenure at John Braly, Ms. Laxton served as principal at Pleasantview Elementary in Kansas City, MO, as well as Daniel Lairon College Preparatory Academy in San Jose, CA. Before that, she served as an assistant principal in North Carolina and a mathematics coordinator in Arizona. She has experience teaching upper elementary and middle school. Ms. Laxton earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the State University of New York College at Fredonia, NY, her Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta University, Valdosta, GA, and her Administrative Certification from Lamar University, Beaumont, TX.

Ms. Laxton was drawn to the Fort Belvoir community because it connects her personal experience with her passion for education. Ms. Laxton has extensive experience as a military spouse, having transferred and relocated with her family several times during her professional career. An approachable leader, Ms. Laxton establishes connections with current families and those transitioning in or out of the school. Adept at communicating with families, she has a proven track record of supporting parents by connecting with families at local gatherings, collaborating with the PTA, developing inclusive family engagement initiatives, and celebrating the diverse heritage of her students.

Ms. Laxton is known for her warmth and compassion with her students, staff, and community.  Ms. Laxton values being both a leader and thought partner with her staff and is touted for her ability to meet staff where they are and lead them toward elevation and progress while maintaining high staff morale and culture. She develops strategic and differentiated strategies to meet staff needs in a professional learning community while modeling to staff the grace students need and the importance of self-care and family.

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Laxton as the new principal of Fort Belvoir Upper School!  She is looking forward to working closely with students, families, staff, and the Fort Belvoir community to continue to grow a warm, safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment for our valued military community.