Darlington Appointed Deputy Superintendent
Area III Associate Superintendent Rae E. Darlington has been promoted to Deputy Superintendent of Prince William County Public Schools. The Deputy Superintendent provides key leadership and oversight for school programs and student learning, along with management of personnel, facilities, support services, Division finances, safety and security.
Elevation of the 15-year Division veteran follows a nationwide search that generated dozens of highly-qualified applicants and a field of four finalists. Darlington’s selection was recommended by PWCS Superintendent Steven Walts and approved by the School Board at its April 27 meeting. Darlington replaces recently-retired Deputy Superintendent Wayne Mallard.
Darlington began her teaching career in 1992 as a Language Arts Teacher at Beville Middle School. She rose quickly through the ranks and was named Area III Associate Superintendent in 2004.
“Ms. Darlington is well respected as an instructional leader and was considered a turn-around principal earlier in her career,” said Walts. “She has championed school improvement as a teacher, principal, and leader of principals.”
While serving as Assistant Principal at Stonewall Jackson High School (1996-98), Darlington conceived, developed, and facilitated national education forums produced by Prince William Network, the School Division’s television production entity, recruiting national and community experts to serve as panelists.
As Area Associate Superintendent, she researched and implemented a plan to create Bully Free, Harassment-Free Schools in all Area III schools. Under her leadership, these schools also implemented plans to use trend data on student achievement to help guide decision making.
Darlington has co-authored three teacher manuals with children’s author Duane Smith and is currently working on Color Me a Bully, a handbook for school principals.
In 2003, Darlington was named Virginia Middle School Principal of the Year while serving as principal at Graham Park Middle School and was one of three finalists for the National Middle School Principal of the Year title. She also received The Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award in 2003.
In his congratulatory remarks, Walts noted that Darlington has served the children, families and staff of Prince William County Schools with distinction for 15 years.
Darlington resides in Montclair with her two daughters.
4/27/06
