Assistant Principal Melissa McClellan

mcclelm@pwcs.edu
@mcclellanmeliss

Alphas: (A-C)
Supervisor: English & World Language

Mrs. McClellan is in 23rd year in education. She started her career as an educator in Prince William County in 1995 as a special education teacher at Woodbridge High School and several other schools in the county. She was then a member of the opening faculty of Forest Park High School. Mrs. McClellan served as a department chair for Special Education when Freedom High School opened its doors. She also served as a Teacher on Administrative Assignment at Freedom. From there, Mrs. McClellan became an Assistant Principal at Lee-Davis High School in Hanover County and then at Mountain View High School in Stafford County. Mrs. McClellan earned her bachelor's degree at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, her master's degree from George Mason University, and her certification in educational leadership and administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. Mrs. McClellan loves being part of the Colgan community!

Assistant Principal Karima Wesselhoft

wesselka@pwcs.edu
@YesMsWess

Alphas: (M - R)
Supervisor: Social Studies, ESL, Library

Karima Wesselhoft is in her 4th year as Assistant Principal at Colgan. She is originally from the Virgin Islands, was raised in Prince William County where she attended Pattie Elementary, Graham Park Middle School, and Hylton High School. She went on to Hampton University where she earned a BA in Communications. She received her Master's Degree in Education from George Mason University and her certification in Educational Leadership and Administration from The George Washington University.

She began teaching at Graham Park Middle School where she taught grades 6-8 Language Arts and Social Studies; then went on to be a member of the opening staff at Patriot High School where she taught World History & AP World History. Karima served at the Specialty Programs Coordinator for the AP Scholars Program and oversaw Project Lead the Way and Culinary Arts at Patriot in the 2015-16 school year. Karima has coached volleyball, served as a class sponsor and remains very active and engaged in the school community.

Admin Intern Octavia McDonald

mcdonaot@pwcs.edu

Alphas: (D - F)
Supervisor: Science, CTE, FACS, GEMS

It is indeed Octavia McDonald’s pleasure to join Colgan High School, and she eagerly anticipates what will unfold this year. This year, Mrs. McDonald is supervising science, CTE/FACS, and Gifted Education.

Mrs. McDonald graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Education. After obtaining that degree, she set to work in a local school district as a high school English teacher while working also as an adjunct professor in the ESOL department of a community college. Shortly after relocating to Northern Virginia, she completed a Master of Arts degree in English literature--and most recently, a license in Educational Leadership. Mrs. McDonald believes that education is so very dynamic, and just when you think you have obtained your last and final gradation, you will see a new one beginning.

Finally, Mrs. McDonald has taught incredibly bright students each year who have really astonished her by their limitless desire to be the best—she believes that is the reward of her job. Moreover, she trusts this year’s work with students and parents, faculty, and the community will bring immeasurable gratification. Mrs. McDonald is thrilled to be an administrative intern at Colgan High School.

Director of School Counseling Claire Handville

handvicr@pwcs.edu
@clairehandville

Mrs. Claire Handville began her school counseling career at Gar-Field Senior High School. At Gar-Field, she worked as a part of the counseling team that achieved the prestigious American School Counseling Association’s Recognized National Model Program Award in 2016. Mrs. Handville then was part of the inaugural staff at Charles J. Colgan, Sr. High School as a school counselor, before becoming Director of School Counseling.

Mrs. Handville studied at the University of Florida (Go Gators!), where she earned a B.S. in Psychology, a B.A. in Sociology, and a minor in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. Additionally, she earned a M.A. in Counselor Education with a concentration in School Counseling from the University of South Florida and is a Nationally Certified Counselor. Most recently, Mrs. Handville earned her second Master’s degree- M.Ed. in Education Leadership from George Mason University.

Mrs. Handville lives in Prince William County with her husband and two children, watching Gator football, crafting, and reading.

School Safety and Security Officer Gary Bailey

baileygd@pwcs.edu

Mr. Gary Bailey retired from the Fairfax County Police Department in March 2018. Eighteen of the twenty-seven years he served on the department was as a Major Crimes detective. Shortly after his retirement from the department, Gary was hired as the Security Specialist at Benton Middle School. He completed a full school year there before being hired as head of security at Colgan.

Mr. Bailey is a graduate of Norfolk State University and received a bachelor's degree in mass communications.

Mr. Bailey enjoys golfing, reading, and watching a lot of ESPN. He is a huge Dallas Cowboys fan (others beware)! Mr. Bailey is married to his wife, Peggy, of 28 years with four children.