Making moves around the corridor

Karen Hertel was named principal of Bryant High School Sept. 20, according to Fairfax County Public Schools Region 3. Hertel assumed the role following the recent retirement of Christopher Larrick who had been the top administrator at Bryant for six years.

Hertel is a familiar face at Bryant, where she served as an assistant principal for five years. This past June, she was named the FCPS 2023 Outstanding School-Based Leader for her excellent leadership and ability to improve the learning environment through her work. 

In the past, Hertel served as assistant principal at Mount Vernon High School, as an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program coordinator, assistant director of student activities, department chair, resource teacher and health and physical education teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science in health sciences from the State University of New York, Cortland, a master's degree in public health education from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Arts in educational leadership from George Mason University.

In the September 2023 Bryant High School newsletter, Hertel was praised for time and time again demonstrating "her commitment to cultivating a safe and positive learning environment." She was praised as "a relationship-builder with students, staff and the community" and as "a compassionate and service-oriented leader, establishing a resourceful pantry stocked with essentials like food, diapers, hygiene items, coats and more for our families."

Good Shepherd Housing, a nonprofit focused on reducing homelessness, announced Oct. 4 the recent relocation of its headquarters from Richmond Highway to the Backlick Center South Business Park building at 8253 Backlick Road, #L in Lorton.

Located just off the Fairfax County Parkway, Good Shepherd’s new space puts the staff in closer proximity to their housing units in Lorton and provides better cost-effectiveness, according to interim executive director Candice Bennett. A ribbon cutting for the new office is planned for Dec. 5, she said.

Good Shepherd had been headquartered on Richmond Highway for over 25 years, said Bennett, adding that the nonprofit’s new home is only about five miles from its previous location at the Mt. Zephyr Professional Center. Good Shepherd’s mailing address has changed to PO Box 1266, Newington, VA 22122-9998.