Eavan Kallis
Staff Writer
Dr. Michelle Campiglia, previously an administrator at Fairfax County Public Schools, is working her first year as an administrator in the International Academy. With experience as an English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher and fluent in Spanish and French, she is excited to be back to working with English learners.
“The fact that I work with English learners now and teachers of English learners is just perfect because that was really my area of expertise as a teacher and as an administrator,” said Campiglia.
Campiglia graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary School, and got her undergraduate degree in Foreign Affairs and French at the University of Virginia (UVA). After getting a fellowship and completing her Masters degree in Education at George Washington University, Campiglia went back to UVA for an Education Specialist degree.
“Then three years later I got this crazy idea that it was time I wanted to do a doctorate,” she said, “So I just finished my doctorate at UVA […] in December of 2020.”
Campiglia’s dissertation was based on how high school principals can help Central American males feel connected to the school.
“A lot of those students that we serve here in the international academy often leave before they graduate,” said Campiglia, “So my research was around what schools can do to keep these men in school and help them feel a sense of belonging so that they stay until graduation.”
Campiglia’s experience and knowledge with English learners are a great fit for her current position. “That was another reason that working in the international academy was so perfect for me because it really aligned with the research I had done for my dissertation,” she said.
Ultimately, Campiglia’s dream is to become a principal in a high school. Although Alexandria City is a larger school, she prefers a small to medium-sized school. “Alexandria City High School for me is a really large school, however, I’m happy here because it’s a school within a school,” said Campiglia.
Even when she retires, Campiglia has grand plans after her career. “I do wonder about how I might continue my passion of working with multilingual learners. Once I retire, my dream is to join the Peace Corps, and maybe go back to teaching that way.”
