Administrative Team / Judy Concha

Publish date: 2024-05-18
As assistant principal, I support Discovery on its journey to becoming a Professional Learning Community in which all students learn at high levels. I aspire to maintain a focus on student learning by facilitating collaborative inquiry among teachers and building their capacity for success. I strive to create a positive school culture in which teachers and families support student learning and contribute to Discovery’s unique learning environment. 

Professional Background

I graduated from Wake Forest University with a B.A. in Elementary Education. As I developed my professional practice as a classroom teacher and a reading specialist, I attended the University of Maryland College Park and earned a M.Ed. in Reading Education, followed by a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. To broaden my educator experience, I worked as a research analyst for a non-profit organization, an adjunct professor for local universities, and an educational consultant for local school districts. Prompted by my passion for teaching children to read and write, I came to Barrett Elementary in Arlington Public Schools and taught English language arts. During my time at Barrett, I refined my instructional practice by achieving National Board Certification. I also developed my leadership style by earning a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from George Mason University.

Personal Interests

I love spending time with my family! I also enjoy running in the early morning, swimming in a warm pool, and reading children’s literature. Some of my favorite authors are Kate DiCamillo, Kevin Henkes, Cynthia Rylant, Mo Willems, and Jaqueline Woodson.

Literary Connection

Brown Girl Dreaming (2014) by Jacqueline Woodson is a heartwarming memoir of her quest to answer the question Who Am I?. On her journey to self-identity, Woodson comes to understand the impact of the civil right movement on her and her family. She learns that writing is a way to express her thoughts and feelings about growing up in an uncertain time. Woodson also discovers her strong ties to and love for family. I connect to Brown Girl Dreaming because I remember my own childhood journey to self-identity and my strong feelings of love for family. Woodson is a gifted writer who displays her talent in this free verse novel. Each chapter is truly a poem.

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