Administration

Principal since 2009, Cliff Hardison is honored to be on his second tour of service to the West Potomac High School community. Previously, Mr. Hardison was Director of Guidance at West Potomac from 1992-1997. An educator for almost four decades, Mr. Hardison has served three different Virginia jurisdictions and was awarded PTSA life-time memberships at three area high schools (including West Potomac).

Mr. Hardison began his education career in Prince William County teaching English and Social Studies at the middle and high school level. His experience as a high school teacher and cross country and track coach then led him to Virginia Commonwealth University where he served as the men’s cross country and track coach. Mr. Hardison returned to high school teaching and became a counselor in Chesterfield County Schools. He returned to Fairfax County in 1990, serving as counselor at Edison High School before being promoted at West Potomac two and a half years later. In 1997, Mr. Hardison transferred to Hayfield Secondary School to become Administrative Principal and later Subschool Principal. At Hayfield, Mr. Hardison worked with nearly every curricular area and managed an alternative school program. In 2007, Mr. Hardison was Summer School Principal at South County Secondary and became the Assistant Principal for the Science and Technology Division at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). He remained at TJHSST until his return to West Potomac four years ago. 

A proud FCPS graduate (West Springfield High School), Mr. Hardison also forged many of his core values through membership in Scout Troup 991. His B.A. is in English from George Mason University, where he also earned his teaching certification in English and history. Mr. Hardison also enhanced his undergraduate education through varsity running and training with and serving the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Training Program (PLC). Mr. Hardison completed his M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University and is an ABD in his doctoral work in Educational Administration and Leadership at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Also in his second tour of service to the West Potomac High School community, Alexander Case was a WPHS teacher before returning as an Assistant Principal in 2010. Mr. Case’s current supervisory responsibilities include two of the school’s largest academic departments, Social Studies and Special Education. He is also administrator for students in grades 9-12 whose last names fall between the letters Lew and Red and works closely with the sophomore class (Class of 2015).

Mr. Case is a career switcher from federal civil service. He began his education career in 2004, sponsoring the yearbook at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. After training as a Social Studies teacher in Stafford County Schools, Mr. Case taught world history, government, and leadership at West Potomac. He also coordinated Advanced Academic Programs, sponsored the student government, and was an Assistant Director of Student Activities. In 2009, Mr. Case became Special Projects Administrator and Acting Assistant Principal at Carl Sandburg Middle School. He has also been principal of summer school at Sandburg Middle (2009) and West Potomac High School (2008 and 2012). On the district level, Mr. Case partners closely with FCPS Instructional Services and Special Services, leading academy courses and workshops on instructional best practices. He also helped launch the high school Advanced Academics Leadership Team (now a 7-12 entity), which offers peer-led professional learning by FCPS teacher leaders from all grade-levels and subject areas.

Mr. Case grew up in Springfield and is a proud graduate of FCPS’ Saratoga Elementary School, Francis Scott Key Middle School, and Robert E. Lee High School. Mr. Case earned a B.A. in history, political science, and secondary education from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. His M.Ed. is in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia. He is currently working towards a PhD in education leadership at George Mason University.

Ivan Johnson has returned as Assistant Principal after a semester detail as Assistant Principal at Carl Sandburg Middle School in spring 2012. His current supervisory responsibilities include the WPHS Math and Fine and Performing Arts Department and students in grades 9-12 whose last names fall between the letters Ds through Lev. Mr. Johnson is also administrator for the junior class (Class of 2014).

Mr. Johnson has been an Assistant Principal at West Potomac and an employee of FCPS since 2006. Prior to his arrival at West Potomac, Mr. Johnson was a Mathematics Teacher and the Athletic Director at Bladensburg High School in Prince George’s County, Maryland. There, Mr. Johnson was president of the Prince George’s County Athletic Association, coordinator of school NCAA Clearinghouse eligibility, and he helped lead Bladensburg’s efforts to ensure equity in student achievement via the School Improvement Planning (SIP) process. Mr. Johnson’s 13 year teaching career includes experience instructing all levels of mathematics from pre-Algebra to advanced trigonometry. His coaching experience includes golf, cross-country, and indoor/outdoor track. Mr. Johnson also was a lead instructor for Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) Prep Math and served as SAT Coordinator at Bladensburg High School. Additionally, Mr. Johnson was Prince George’s County Summer Textbook Resource Office Supervisor from 2002 to 2005 and was West Potomac High School Summer School Principal in 2011.

Mr. Johnson holds an Associate’s Degree in Merchandising and Marketing from the Art Institute of Seattle and a B.A. in Secondary Mathematics Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also holds two master’s degrees, one in Education and Curriculum from National Louis University and the other in Education Administration from Trinity University, both in Washington D.C.

Eston Melton joined the West Potomac faculty as an Assistant Principal in 2011. His current supervisory responsibilities include the English Department, the custodial staff that oversees building and grounds, the technology team, and students in grades 9-12 whose last names fall between the letters Am and Dr. He is also administrator for the senior class (Class of 2013).

Prior to his arrival at West Potomac, Mr. Melton worked as Summer School Assistant Principal at Mount Vernon High School. He also spent seven years at George C. Marshall High School near Tysons Corner. His work at Marshall culminated with service as International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Coordinator, where he oversaw staff professional development, community communication, student recruitment and support, and test accommodations for students with special needs. Mr. Melton also had a successful English teaching career at Marshall that ranged from team-taught ninth grade courses to Higher Level IB studies. Mr. Melton served as an award-winning newspaper and yearbook adviser, was the school webmaster, and supported a summer institute curriculum to promote equal access to the school’s most challenging courses. Additionally, Mr. Melton led division-wide English and eCART curriculum projects and helped Marshall High School design and implement a Teacher Leadership Development Grant that framed school-wide professional learning.

Mr. Melton holds a B.A. in English and Psychology and a Master of Teaching degree in Secondary English Education from the University of Virginia. Most recently, Mr. Melton participated in the LEAD Fairfax Accelerated Certification Cohort through which he gained Virginia licensure in administration and supervision.

Janice Monroe has been an Assistant Principal at West Potomac since 2004. Her current supervisory responsibilities include the WPHS Science and World Languages Department, the Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) program, the school health room (clinic) and cafeteria, and students in grades 9-12 whose last names fall between the letters Ree through Z. Ms. Monroe is also administrator for the freshmen class (Class of 2016).

Ms. Monroe’s education career spans 24 years. She began as an In-School Suspension Program Coordinator in Rowland, North Carolina before going on to serve as an elementary, middle, and high school special educator in three states (North Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia). Ms. Monroe joined FCPS in 1990 as an Emotional Disabilities Teacher at the Cedar Lane School. She came to West Potomac High School in 1994, serving as chairperson of both the high-incidence special education program as well as the school’s specialty program for severe intellectual disabilities. Ms. Monroe served as an administrative intern at Bush Hill Elementary School and an Acting Assistant Principal at the Earl L. Pulley Career Center before her appointment as West Potomac Assistant Principal. Ms. Monroe led special education at West Potomac from 2004 to 2010 before assuming responsibilities for English Language Learners and various general education and advanced academic curricula and programs. Ms. Monroe has also served as School Testing Coordinator and was a West Potomac Summer School Principal and Site Director.

Ms. Monroe holds a B.A. in Psychology and the Administration of Criminal Justice from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She earned an M.A. in Special Education at Fayetteville State University. Most recently, Ms. Monroe completed an Ed.S. in Transitional Special Education and licensure in Administration and Supervision from the George Washington University. She has also done doctoral coursework is currently ABD in Special Education and Leadership at the George Washington University.

Also in his second tour of service to the West Potomac High School community, Aaron Engley was a West Potomac Academy teacher before returning in 2006 to his current role as Academy Administrator. Mr. Engley’s current supervisory responsibilities include both the health and human service and communication and arts programs of the West Potomac Academy. He also supervises the high school Career and Technical Education Department, which is comprised of courses in Business, Marketing, Family and Consumer Sciences, and the Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program. Besides all academy students, Mr. Engley is administrator for West Potomac High School students in grades 9-12 whose last names fall between the letters A and Al.

Mr. Engley began his education and administrative career in special education. He was administrator of the S. John Davis Career Center at Marshall High School from 2004 to 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Engley was acting administrator of the Earl L. Pulley Career Center at West Potomac High School. Mr. Engley joined FCPS as a special education teacher at Lanier Middle School in 1996. From 1998 to 2001, he taught special education and coordinated an alternative school program which was housed at Robert E. Lee High School in Springfield. Mr. Engley also served as the varsity boys’ lacrosse coach at Robert E. Lee High School from 1996-2001. Mr. Engley came to West Potomac in 2001 as the special education teacher on the West Potomac Academy support team. As a teacher and administrator, Mr. Engley has been particularly adept at forging community partnerships and identifying new opportunities for student engagement in learning. Under his leadership, industry certification tests are at an all-time high and the West Potomac academy has grown to the second largest academy in Fairfax County schools.

Mr. Engley holds a B.A. in special education from Greensboro College. His master’s degree is in Education Leadership and Policy Studies from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Aaron Helmick was named the West Potomac High School Director of Student Activities in January 2008. His current supervisory responsibilities include the Health and Physical Education Department and all extracurricular activities, clubs, and athletic programs.

Mr. Helmick began his education career in 1997 as an elementary special education teacher and high school basketball coach in Stokes County, North Carolina. Mr. Helmick moved to Virginia and FCPS in 1999 where he taught special education science (Biology, Chemistry, Geoystems, and Active Physics) at Oakton High School. At Oakton, Mr. Helmick also sponsored the student government association and two classes, coordinated prom and graduation, coached girls’ basketball, and supported an alternative education program housed on the Oakton grounds. Mr. Helmick remained connected to literacy and elementary education by serving as a summer school teacher each summer. He worked at Providence Elementary and Stenwood Elementary before moving into activities administration. Mr. Helmick was first named an Assistant Director of Student Activities at Oakton High School in 2003. He transferred to West Potomac to support for West Potomac Activities Director Jeff Dietze in 2005. He was named the second Director of Student Activities in West Potomac’s history just three years later. 

Mr. Helmick holds a B.S. in Education from Fairmont State College in his native West Virginia. He holds licensure in elementary education (K-6) and specific learning disabilities (K-12) from his work as an undergraduate. Mr. Helmick’s M.Ed. is in Administration and Supervision from George Mason University.