We are delighted to welcome Stephanie Carpenter back to Westlawn! Ms. Carpenter has been the acting principal at neighboring Beech Tree Elementary School since the start of the year, and provided guidance and leadership as they completed their principal search. Now that Beech Tree has hired a new principal, Ms. Carpenter has returned home to Westlawn and is delighted to rejoin our community. She is looking forward to reconnecting with students, staff, families, and the greater Westlawn community, and is especially eager to meet new-to-Westlawn families and students. Welcome back, Ms. Carpenter!

We love having Stephanie Carpenter with us at Westlawn Elementary School! Let’s learn more about her...

Years at Westlawn ES and in FCPS: My 3 year anniversary with Westlawn and FCPS is this March.

Why do you love working at Westlawn? I love the excitement and energy that each day brings at Westlawn.  From greeting students as they get off the bus, to visiting classrooms, and meeting with teachers, there is never a dull moment.  What I value most about working at Westlawn is the total team effort of our staff to ensure joyful learning for every student.  We work hard together, we solve problems together, and we laugh together too!  

What books are you currently reading? I am currently listening to the Educate podcast by American Public Media which is dedicated to educational research, the history of education, equity and opportunity.  I am also listening to the We Can Do Hard Things podcast, where a team of women talk honestly about the ‘hard’ of our lives and share in the joy and struggle with others.

My newest fiction read is Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead.  It just arrived from Amazon and I can’t wait to get into it over the Thanksgiving holiday.

What are your hobbies and interests? I love being outside in nature with my spouse, my son and our friends.  We enjoy hiking in Virginia’s National Parks with our dog, Cowboy and exploring small towns around the state.  My family is on the east and west coast; we travel across the country often.  Running is a favorite pastime, it’s a gift I give myself before starting work each day.