Our Administrators
Linda Clifford, Principal
Linda Clifford is thrilled to be a member of the outstanding community of learners at Colin Powell Elementary School. She has been an educator for 30 years working as a special education teacher in upstate New York for the first 17 years of her career. She came to Fairfax County fifteen years ago with her husband and son and has worked with students with disabilities at Vienna Elementary and Flint Hill Elementary Schools. She was an administrative intern at Luther Jackson Middle School for a year before moving to Fairfax Villa Elementary School where she served for four years as the assistant principal. Mrs. Clifford earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a dual certification in both Special Education and Elementary Education at Buffalo State University College and her Master of Science degree in Special Education at Plattsburg State University. She earned her Administrative Certificate at George Mason University. She feels it is important to continue to be a life-long learner and is excited to learn alongside the students, staff, and community at CPES. In her spare time, Mrs. Clifford enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Ms. Kimberle Pendergrass, Assistant Principal
Kimberle Pendergrass is excited to be joining the Colin Powell family and is looking forward to working with the staff, students, and community.
Kimberle has twenty years of experience in education. An Ohio native, Kimberle began her career after graduating from the Ohio State University by teaching diverse groups of students for Columbus City Schools. Later she worked for the school system’s math department as a math coach where she was given the privilege of working with principals and teachers to strengthen their schools’ math programs. The desire to move to the east coast brought Kimberle to Fairfax County where she has been for the past 12 years. Since coming to Fairfax, Kimberle has taught at both Terra Center and Hunters Woods elementary schools, grades 2 – 6. Four years ago, she moved to Bull Run Elementary School as their assistant principal and has enjoyed working alongside staff and students. Ms. Pendergrass is a voracious reader and loves to visit historical attractions, museums, resorts with ocean views, and spas!
Mr. Travis Thomason, Assistant Principal
Travis Thomason is happy to be here at Colin Powell Elementary, a school that strives to create a rich learningenvironment where students are able to develop their interests and talents to be responsible and productive citizens of the future. Growing up in a military family, he has lived in Puerto Rico and Mobile, Alabama before arriving in Fairfax County and Robinson HighSchool in tenth grade. He attended Virginia Tech where he received a degree in Finance but quickly changed course to pursue a Masters in Middle School Education after feeling a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of young people. For the next ten years, Mr. Thomason has taught 3rd, 5th, and 6th grades at Cameron and Crestwood where he enjoyed the challenge of helping struggling students succeed on SOL’s and develop an enthusiasm for learning. While finishing his Masters in Administration, Mr. Thomason has enjoyed his time at Lane Elementary working with students and families from all over the world. He lives with his wife Rosa and four children in Springfield and enjoys attending their sports games, playing guitar, working on home improvement projects, and reading.