ACPS Announces Four Leaders as the First 2024-25 VIP Award Recipients

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) presented the 2024-25 first quarter Vision, Integrity and Passion (VIP) awards to staff members in the leadership category during the Nov. 7, 2024, School Board meeting.

The award recipients include:

• Paul George, assistant principal at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School
• Jodie Peters, AVID district director/college readiness support
• Taneika Taylor Tukan, executive director of community partnerships and engagement
• Dr. Jennifer Whitson, ACPS evaluation and assessment analyst

Paul George has been described as being a “true light” with a genuine passion for what he does as he strives to ensure his students and staff members feel supported, uplifted and cared for at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School (Douglas MacArthur). Since joining ACPS in 1996, George personified excellence in education, serving as a positive role model and thoughtful educator.

In nominating George, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Gretchen Whitehead expressed her gratitude for the professional guidance he has provided. “I am incredibly grateful to be working with such a patient, calm and supportive administrator,” Whitehead said. She explained that George provides sound advice and shares his expertise on addressing difficult conversations with families.

“He is an amazing support and leader. He steps up where needed and keeps consistent communication with our team,” Preschool Teacher Katherine Martin said. She added that as Douglas MacArthur’s assistant principal, George values the teachers and “has a beautiful way of keeping things positive.” Martin added that George always asks, “How can I help?” which can make a world of difference.

Jodie Peters has been instrumental in the formation and transformation of the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program for students since joining ACPS in 2001. “Ms. Peters and AVID have had a positive impact on students by creating in our schools a college and career-going culture that increases the number of students who are prepared to enroll in higher education post-high school learning,” Social Studies Instructional Specialist Sarah Whelan said. She attributes the longevity and impact of AVID, which celebrated 15 years of success at ACPS, to Peters’ commitment and unfailing hard work.

Peters is described as a fierce advocate for equity and success-based outcomes for all students who is strategic about putting systems and structures in place to result in positive outcomes. 

“She has pushed to expand AVID from the high school, to the middle schools, as well as AVID elementary,” AVID Elective Teacher Jennifer Tutuska said. “She is a brilliant leader who sets high expectations and pushes teachers to do more in a supportive manner. I always leave professional development with Jodie with take-aways and items to implement in my classroom.”

Peters drew accolades from her peers for the support she provides to all schools and her caring approach to ensure the success of AVID. Peters rises to the challenge of guiding the AVID program out of a deep passion for equity and achievement for all students and that makes her a true VIP!

Taneika Taylor Tukan’s exemplary leadership in the Office of Community Partnerships and Engagement helps build trust with families, partner organizations and community members. Tukan first joined the school division in 2016 as a community outreach specialist. Among the most significant projects she has led is the introduction of the ParentSquare platform that supports real-time communication between staff and families, delivering communications in 10 languages.

“One of the things that impresses me the most about Taneika is her willingness to try new things and create buy-in with others. She is always positive and solutions-oriented,” Chief of School and Community Relations Julia Burgos said.

Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School (Tucker) Principal Adaarema Kelly said Tukan was instrumental in helping Tucker become a Purple Star School, an important designation recognizing its commitment to military families. “Her proven ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders—including community partners, volunteers and staff—has ensured the smooth implementation of ACPS initiatives,” Kelly explained.

The vision, integrity and passion Tukan displays in carrying out her role at ACPS shine through in her commitment to student success and the impactful partnerships she has established and nurtured which provide a lasting and positive influence in our schools.

Dr. Jennifer Whitson demonstrates compassion and resilience, serving as an inspiration for students and staff since joining ACPS in 2014.

“As Dr. Whitson recently celebrated her 10-year anniversary with Alexandria City Public Schools, her remarkable persistence and commitment have been evident throughout her tenure,”  Chief of Accountability and Research Dr. Clinton Page said. “One of Dr. Whitson’s most recent notable contributions has been to the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Evaluation project. She played a pivotal role in, not only designing the evaluation, but also in truly innovating the process by elevating students as active participants. By engaging students in collecting data and taking part in analysis activities, she transformed the project into a more inclusive and empowering experience.”

Data Analyst Angela Green also noted that Dr. Whitson’s visionary leadership in evaluating and enhancing the SEL program at ACPS exemplifies her exceptional creativity and dedication. “For students, it created a nurturing environment that fostered emotional intelligence, resilience and self-awareness, leading to measurable improvements in academic performance and significant reductions in disciplinary issues,” Green added.

Dr. Whitson also played a critical role in the design and execution of the Equity Dashboard, a division-wide tool for data literacy that has transformed how ACPS tracks and addresses equity challenges. “Her focus on dismantling systems of inequity through policy revisions and inclusive communications further highlights her passion for serving all members of the ACPS community, well beyond the expectations of her role,” School Improvement Coordinator Farah Nichols Peterson said.

Dr. Whitson actively works to mentor colleagues, offering her time and expertise to support their professional development. Her ability to inspire those around her while driving meaningful change makes her a most deserving candidate for the VIP award.