At its June 18 meeting, the School Board named David Horak as the Principal of Abingdon Elementary School. Horak is currently an assistant principal at Springfield Estates Elementary in Fairfax County Public Schools.

“Mr. Horak possesses organizational, planning and goal-setting skills that will make him a strong instructional leader for the Abingdon community,” said Superintendent Dr. Pat Murphy. “Throughout his career, Mr. Horak has continually worked with teachers, staff and students to strengthen and implement curriculum in innovative ways, which matches his experiences with Abingdon’s emphasis on fine arts and technology through Project GIFT. We look forward to welcoming him aboard.”

Horak has been an educator for 15 years, at both the elementary and middle school levels. He holds Master’s degree in secondary education and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to being named assistant principal at Springfield Estates, he was the assistant principal of Rose Hill Elementary School in FCPS.

Horak has also worked at Poe Middle School where he served as interim Assistant Principal, International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme coordinator and advanced academic resource teacher. Horak began his career teaching social studies, religion and theatre arts in grades 7-12 at Mercy Cross High School in Biloxi, Miss.In his current role, he helped Springfield Estates Elementary earn the National Blue Ribbon School award by diligently working to close achievement gaps.

In his previous elementary school, he was part of the administrative team that achieved Fully Accredited Status from the Virginia Department of Education for the first time in four years.

Horak succeeds Joanne Uyeda who is retiring from APS after serving as principal of Abingdon since 2001. Horak’s appointment begins on July 1.