The Stafford County School Board approved the following Stafford County Public Schools appointments, effective July 1:
Allen Hicks
Principal, Stafford High School
Mr. Allen Hicks has held the position of principal at Hampton Oaks Elementary School since 2017. Prior to that, Mr. Hicks was an Assistant Principal, Principal Intern, and Health / PE teacher at Hampton Oaks. He began his career with Stafford County Public Schools as a Health / PE teacher at Colonial Forge High School.
As Principal at Hampton Oaks, Mr. Hicks made changes to the school’s master schedule to provide extended planning time for teachers and their professional learning communities. He created Responsive Classroom community time for all grade levels to incorporate community building into all students daily routines, and organized the school into a “house” structure to create cross-grade connections for all students. He also introduced an adult education program at the school to help non-English speaking parents learn to speak English.
Mr. Hicks has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Bridgewater College. He earned his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Amy Ivory
Principal, Edward E. Drew, Jr. Middle School
Ms. Amy Ivory will return to Edward E. Drew, Jr. Middle School, where she previously served as Assistant Principal for six years. Currently, Ms. Ivory serves as Assistant Principal at Stafford High School, a role she has held since 2016. Prior to entering administration, Ms. Ivory taught math and language arts at the middle school level in both Stafford as well as Spotsylvania County Schools for 13 years, and has regularly been turned to by administrators as an instructional model for teachers at the middle school level.
As Assistant Principal at both Drew Middle and Stafford High School, Ms. Ivory served as a Special Education designee to ensure special education students received appropriate services to support their growth. At Stafford High, she also oversaw the High Riser program for rising freshman to support a successful start to high school, and helped to launch the Jostens Renaissance program at the school to support stronger connections among students and staff.
Ms. Ivory earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Masters of Elementary Education from California University of Pennsylvania, and her Masters of Education in Education Leadership from the University of Mary Washington.
Amanda Dorazio
Assistant Principal, Rising Star Early Childhood Education Center
Ms. Amanda Dorazio began her teaching career in 2004 in Stafford County Public Schools. She was the Teacher of the Year for Rocky Run Elementary School and division finalist in 2018-2019. Ms. Dorazio has demonstrated leadership skills throughout her career. She is a member of the Superintendent’s District Leadership Team, school improvement team, grade level captain, mentor teacher for new staff, mentor teacher for practicum students, acting administrator, recruiter and kindercamp lead teacher. In addition, she is part of the clinical faculty at the University of Mary Washington and participated as an instructor at the New Teacher Institute.
Ms. Dorazio earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from James Madison University and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at Regent University.
Benjamin Diggs
Assistant Principal, Stafford High School
Mr. Benjamin Diggs served in his most recent position as an Instructional Technology Resource Teacher (ITRT) at North Stafford High School. He was named the 2018-2019 Stafford County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Mr. Diggs is starting his ninth year in education and taught AP Computer Science, programming, graphic design, and keyboarding before becoming an ITRT. He is a member of the district leadership team, school improvement team, and a member of the SCPS Equity Diversity Opportunity Committee.
Mr. Diggs earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, a Bachelor of Science degree in Management: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Technology, and a minor in Business Leadership from Virginia Tech. He received his Educational Specialist degree in Pre-K-12 Educational Leadership from Old Dominion University in May 2020.
Chawrdi Elliott
Assistant Principal, Stafford High School
Ms. Chawrdi Elliott is a product of Stafford County Schools. She attended Garrisonville Elementary School, A.G. Wright Middle School, and graduated from North Stafford High School. In 2012, Ms. Elliott joined the division as a math teacher at Colonial Forge High School. During her time in the division, Ms. Elliott has served as math department co-chair, 504 Plan Manager, Writing Across the Curriculum Facilitator, and New Teacher Institute presenter. In addition, she has played an active role in improving the educational equity within the county and community.
Ms. Elliott earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics Education from The University of Central Oklahoma and a Master’s of Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Mary Washington.
Christine Onidi
Assistant Principal, Winding Creek Elementary School
Ms. Christine Onidi began her teaching career in Stafford in 2012 as a fifth grade teacher at Garrisonville Elementary School. She left Stafford in 2014 to work in Fairfax County Public Schools as a classroom teacher, advanced academics teacher, and math resource teacher prior to returning to Stafford in 2019. In addition, she has demonstrated highly effective leadership skills as the administrator in charge in the absence of the principal and assistant principal, a member of the school crisis management team, and school improvement plan team. Ms. Onidi has organized and provided school-wide professional development for teachers and coordinated and led the SOL remediation program at her school.
Ms. Onidi earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development: Child and Adolescent Development from Virginia Tech, her Master’s in Elementary Education from George Mason University, and her Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Virginia Tech.
Barbara Platt
Assistant Director of Student Services
Ms. Barbara Platt will assume the position of Assistant Director of Student Services. Ms. Platt joined Stafford County Public Schools in 1997 as a special education teacher. In 2001, she was appointed a Supervisor of Student Services for Compliance and Mandated Services. Ms. Platt is recognized as an expert leader in both federal and state law in the area of special education. She has worked collaboratively with staff and agencies in advocating for and providing appropriate services to our special needs students. Prior to her tenure in Stafford, Ms. Platt was a Site Manager, Program Manager and Program Coordinator for several site-based residential facilities.
Ms. Platt earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Westchester University in Westchester, Pennsylvania, her Master of Arts in Severe Behavior Disorders from Ohio State University, and her certificate in Administration & Supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Matthew Cook
Online Learning Systems Designer
Mr. Matthew Cook began his career as an English teacher and trainer in Japan, where he developed an iPad-centered teaching program, sourced and implemented a cloud-based classroom management tool, and increased student engagement through the integration of technology in the classroom. Since 2016, Mr. Cook has served as a consultant and project manager for Edgenuity, planning, implementing, and sustaining blended and online learning solutions for clients in K-12 education.
Mr. Cook received his Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise from Virginia Tech and is an Apple Certified teacher.
Monica Van Husen
Teaching & Learning Facilitator – ITRT
Ms. Monica Van Husen is currently the Instructional Technology Resource Teacher (ITRT) at Colonial Forge High School, and has taught for SCPS for 15 years. As an ITRT, she has coordinated, collaborated and implemented numerous educational technology projects in the division including online professional development design, GSuite implementation, training for new teachers, and training for summer school use of Edgenuity.
Ms. Van Husen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Education from Buffalo State College in New York, her Masters of Science in Education from Niagara University in New York and is presently working on her Masters in Educational Leadership at the College of William & Mary.
