Survey: Oakton Elem. Principal One of County's Best

Christine Gray, principal at Oakton Elementary School, was recognized as one of Fairfax County's best principals in an annual survey of teachers in the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers.

The survey asks teachers to rate their principals based on criteria such as school climate, instructional leadership, planning and assessment, professionalism, community relations and communications, and safety and organizational management. Gray received all top marks, with teachers either ranking her as exceeds or meets expectations in each of the criteria.

"I was very humbled to receive the FCFT Principal's award. I am keenly aware that one is only as good as the people around you," Gray wrote in a statement to Oakton Patch. "I am so fortunate to be a principal in a school where the teachers are dedicated to student learning and in a community with supportive parents and the best kids in Fairfax County. They make my job a true joy."

Pearl Raikin, labor relations specialist with FCFT who also worked with Gray when she served as assistant principal at Newington Forest Elementary, presented the two-year Oakton Elementary principal with a certificate and roses "[only to find] another beautiful vase of pink (her favorite color) roses that her staff had ordered for her."

"They didn’t know I was bringing flowers and wanted to make sure that there were flowers as well as a certificate," Raikin wrote in an email. "I think that says something about her staff."

FCFT is a teachers' advocacy group with more than 4,000 members.

How would you rate Ms. Gray? Let us know in the comments!

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