Why is Coates such a problem school? It's not located in a bad area (like culmore or route 1) and it doesn't have more FARMs kids than some very good schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is at Providence. I love Jesse and am sad to see him go. He is a rock star principal and it makes sense to send him to a school that is struggling. Also he was at PES for 7 years. I knew he would be there the whole time DD was at PES. My guess is he will eventually become a superintendent.

Ditto. I'm a Providence parent very sad to see him go.

+1!!!
I can't believe we are losing him. He has changed the culture at Providence and created a school that we are proud to attend

Anonymous wrote:DD is at Providence. I love Jesse and am sad to see him go. He is a rock star principal and it makes sense to send him to a school that is struggling. Also he was at PES for 7 years. I knew he would be there the whole time DD was at PES. My guess is he will eventually become a superintendent.

Ditto. I'm a Providence parent very sad to see him go.

DD is at Providence. I love Jesse and am sad to see him go. He is a rock star principal and it makes sense to send him to a school that is struggling. Also he was at PES for 7 years. I knew he would be there the whole time DD was at PES. My guess is he will eventually become a superintendent.

I would not consider a 47% free and reduced lunch rate VERY poor in FCPS. That being said, after being named a Title I school year just last year, the rate seems to be increasing. The school has a high mobility rate as well, which poses many challenges. I think moving a principal with that level of experience and success to a struggling school is a great idea.

Anonymous wrote:I have taught the very, very poor and the not so poor. Believe me, it is much tougher to teach the former. It has its rewards, but it is exhausting work. And, even though I worked harder--and probably did more good--with the very, very poor--if you took the test scores and judged me by those, I would fare so much better in the wealthier school. (And, the "wealthier" school was not all that wealthy.)

Good for Garza for putting a strong principal in a very poor school. Good luck to the new principal.

I was the first to point out this has been her strategy, and it was not a criticism. I think she's done it enough times now that the reassignments are viewed as a vote of confidence, not a thankless task.

Tim Thomas moving to Annandale, Penny Gros moving to Stuart, and Anthony Terrell moving to Mount Vernon are three other examples.

Anonymous wrote:I have taught the very, very poor and the not so poor. Believe me, it is much tougher to teach the former. It has its rewards, but it is exhausting work. And, even though I worked harder--and probably did more good--with the very, very poor--if you took the test scores and judged me by those, I would fare so much better in the wealthier school. (And, the "wealthier" school was not all that wealthy.)

Good for Garza for putting a strong principal in a very poor school. Good luck to the new principal.

+1 Same here.
Jesse Kraft is an incredible administrator and leader. Glad to see that his talents will be used at a school that could use strong leadership.
The teachers, parents, and students at Coates will be happy to have him.

I have taught the very, very poor and the not so poor. Believe me, it is much tougher to teach the former. It has its rewards, but it is exhausting work. And, even though I worked harder--and probably did more good--with the very, very poor--if you took the test scores and judged me by those, I would fare so much better in the wealthier school. (And, the "wealthier" school was not all that wealthy.)

Good for Garza for putting a strong principal in a very poor school. Good luck to the new principal.

Anonymous wrote:It's been a consistent theme under Garza to transfer "star" principals to schools with more FARMS/ESOL kids where possible.

As it should be.

It's been a consistent theme under Garza to transfer "star" principals to schools with more FARMS/ESOL kids where possible.

Coates is a VERY poor community. Maybe they think he can help.

Coates had an ineffective principal. I'm sure Jesse interviewed and wanted a change.

Interviewed with him several years ago. Would work for him at any school he went to.

Coates is a tough school that is not improving. Principal Kraft did a fantastic job at Providence so I bet Dr. Ivey has asked him to do the same at Coates.

Dr. Frances Ivey is pleased to announce that Mr. Jesse Kraft has been appointed as Principal of Lutie Lewis Coates Elementary School effective July 6, 2016. Mr. Kraft is a dedicated professional educator with 20 years of successful teaching and leadership experience. Mr. Kraft began his teaching career with FCPS at Newington Forest Elementary School where he earned national board certification. His leadership experiences include serving as a Great Beginnings Coach, Assistant Principal at Westlawn Elementary and Oak Hill Elementary schools, and most recently Principal at Providence Elementary School. During his seven year tenure at Providence, Mr. Kraft has established himself as a decisive instructional leader, an effective communicator, and a consistently positive presence. He leaves a strong legacy at Providence including the establishment of a one-of-a-kind STEM Lab program that has received national and international accolades.


Mr. Kraft has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Writing from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from George Mason University. Among his many professional accomplishments is his recognition by Leadership Fairfax as the recipient of the Educational Leadership Award; as a Top Rated Principal in 2014 & 2015 by the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers; and as recipient of FCPS First Year Outstanding Principal of the Year award in 2010.

Mr. Kraft is looking forward to beginning his principalship at Lutie Lewis Coates Elementary and building strong relationships with all stakeholders. Having worked half of his career in Title 1 schools, Mr. Kraft has had meaningful experiences with family outreach, efforts to close the achievement gap, leveraging Title 1 resources, and working on boosting student and staff morale in the face of the many challenges that come with working with children in poverty.