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Friday, September 05, 2008
Kim P. Dockery Named New FCPS Assistant Superintendent for Special Services
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Jack D. Dale has named Kim P. Dockery, principal of Westlawn Elementary School, as the new assistant superintendent for special services. Dockery will assume the duties of her new job by the end of the month in order to ensure a smooth transition for Westlawn students as well as the Department of Special Services. She replaces Alice Farling, who remains with FCPS working on student learning plans and plans to work on a national scale in the field of special education.
“Kim Dockery is an experienced principal who effectively integrates a number of programs—including special education—into her school of more than 600 students,” says Dale. “She brings a commitment to student achievement, parent involvement, and teacher development to this new position.”
Dockery joined FCPS in 1995 as a special education lead teacher at Mantua Elementary School, where she worked with students in preschool through grade 6 to deliver special education services and services for deaf students. In 2000, she became special projects administrator at Haycock Elementary School, where she facilitated inclusive schools training and directed standardized testing for students. She was named assistant principal at Haycock in 2001, responsible for managing educational and administrative activities for the school, including a gifted and talented center and programs for autism, learning disabilities, and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL).
In 2003, Dockery was named principal of Westlawn Elementary School and was awarded the Nancy F. Sprague First-Year Administrator Award and named the 2005 Outstanding First-Year Principal by FCPS. At Westlawn, Dockery has used the professional learning community model to integrate special education, ESOL, and gifted and talented programs for the Title I school. She has created outreach programs with parents and the community to support both student and adult learning; established a positive behavior support (PBS) program for students while creating opportunities for staff leadership and parent involvement; and started a three-week summer program for students and corresponding summer institute for new and developing teachers. Students at Westlawn have been able to participate in an extensive after-school enrichment program under her guidance and leadership and are able to improve their reading skills over the summer thanks to a special Falls Church High School pyramid initiative, which Dockery leads.
Dockery held teaching jobs in Georgia, Missouri, and Roanoke before joining FCPS.
A graduate of Colorado Women’s College with a bachelor’s degree in dance and education, Dockery earned a master’s degree in early childhood education from Wheelock College in Boston. She earned the Virginia special education endorsement from George Mason University and the administration and supervision endorsement from the University of Virginia. Dockery is a candidate for the Doctor of Education degree in educational administration and supervision, currently working on her dissertation, at the University of Virginia.
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Note: For more information, contact Kim Dockery at 703-241-5100 or kim.dockery@fcps.edu .
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