“I look for teachers who care deeply for students, who are reflective and grow in their professional behaviors, and who are willing to extend their role beyond the classroom.” These, among others, are the characteristics new principal John Duellman values most in his staff for the opening of Loudoun County’s newest high school, Rock Ridge.

Four of Dominion’s teachers possessed these characteristics to Duellman’s liking. Rachel Pardue, Anibal Avalos, Myron Hanke, and Brian Schmidt will all be departing for Rock Ridge next fall, as well as Kevin Terry who left in January to be the guidance director.

Avalos has been teaching advanced mathematics at Dominion since its opening in 2003. And, although he will miss the school and department that he helped build, he is excited for the new opportunities ahead. “I’m going to relish the challenge and the opportunity to help open yet another school,” Avalos said. “It’s bittersweet, definitely. But at the same time I think it’ll be good.”

Hanke is another long-serving member of Dominion’s staff. He, like Avalos, is looking forward to jump-starting a new program. “I wanted to start over, to begin to build a new science program at a new school like I helped to do here at Dominion,” Hanke said. “I want to pass on to a new set of students the passion I have for science.”

Pardue, a freshmen Algebra I & II teacher, has been another tenured member of Dominion’s staff, clocking in at nine years. Though she elected to join Rock Ridge’s staff due to its proximity to her home, she says she will miss DHS and its students. “Most of all, I’ll miss my students,” Pardue said. “I grow very fond of my kids, and, as a freshmen teacher, one of the best parts of my job is watching great young kids grow into amazing young adults. I’ll miss getting to do that over the next three years.”

Schmidt has been teaching physical education classes at Dominion since its opening along with head-coaching its cross country and track and field teams. He has built a track and cross country program that has well over 100 runners a year participate.

“I’m very excited,” says Hanke. “I see this as a new challenge. It’s like going on vacation to a place you’ve never been before; unknown, brand-new, and exciting all at once.”