Dear Virginia Run Elementary School Parents and Community,

The Region 5 Office is pleased to announce that Mr. Dave Gerstner, current Principal at Fairfax Villa, has been named the new principal of Virginia Run Elementary School.  His official start date will be February 1, 2024.

Mr. Gerstner brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Virginia Run Elementary School. He began his career in Fairfax County Public Schools as a physical and health education teacher at Franklin Middle School in 2004 and went on to serve as the school’s assessment coach beginning in 2009.  Following a successful experience as an acting assistant principal at Lees Corner in 2012, Mr. Gerstner was appointed as the assistant principal at Daniels Run Elementary School.  He then served as the assistant principal at Floris Elementary School from 2014-2018. In 2019, Mr. Gerstner was named principal at Fairfax Villa Elementary School, where he demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring high levels of learning for all students.   

Mr. Gerstner is a caring leader who brings years of student-centered instructional leadership experience with him. His leadership style and strong ability to build relationships with students, staff, and families promotes a positive and engaging school climate. Mr. Gerstner has proven to be an effective communicator, and he is eager to deepen his relationships with all stakeholders as he serves the Virginia Run Community. Mr. Gerstner is an active member of the Virginia Run and Westfield communities. His son and daughter are proud Virginia Run Vikings! He can often be seen attending sporting events at Westfield High School with his family. In his spare time, he enjoys playing ice hockey and coaching lacrosse, basketball, and flag football.

Mr. Gerstner earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from West Virginia University. 

Please join me in welcoming Mr. Gerstner as the new principal of Virginia Run Elementary School!