Mr. Christopher Painter - Principal
I am excited to start my seventh year at Discovery and I am looking forward to an incredible year working with our staff and families.
This is my 15th year working for Loudoun County Public Schools and my 20th year in education. Throughout my career in Loudoun County, I spent 4 years at Legacy Elementary School teaching second grade and working as the Administrative Intern, as well as I worked 4 years as the Assistant Principal at Horizon Elementary. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Penn State, The Behrend College and received my teaching certification from Mercyhurst College. I also have a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from George Mason University.
I was born and raised in Grove City, Pennsylvania and I have 2 beautiful children. Kylee, my daughter, will be starting 5th grade this school year at Discovery Elementary and Kayden, my son, will be entering 2nd grade. Finally, my amazing wife will be starting her 1st full year as the Assistant Principal at Lowes Island Elementary. In my spare time I love to read and I enjoy cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins.
I am privileged to be a part of the Discovery Elementary community and I know together we will continue to do amazing things for our students. I look forward to working with our students, parents, and teachers to ensure another tremendous year!
Ms. Deborah Ragan -Assistant Principal
I am so thrilled to be in my third year as Discovery's Assistant Principal! It is an honor to continue to work with such an incredibly supportive community, a dedicated staff that engages all our students in learning, and caring students who do their best each and every day.
Ms. Ragan has held multiple positions since opening Discovery in 2013 and is delighted to continue to serve our Discovery school community. She believes in cultivating trusting relationships and fostering an environment of respect, deep commitment, and collaboration. She is eager to team up with our dedicated and highly motivated staff, our enthusiastically supportive families, and our impressive and excited students. Ms. Ragan passionately believes that every child can learn and should feel loved, respected, and inspired every day. She is grateful Discovery is home to staff and families who embrace this philosophy.
Ms. Ragan is a Minnesotan at heart, but she has lived in several other chilly places including New Hampshire, Utah, and Maine. She has also lived in the not-so-chilly state of Texas, where she earned her B.S. in Elementary Education at the University of Houston with specializations in Early Childhood and Biology. She later received her first Master’s in Initiatives in Education at George Mason University, with an emphasis on math education and character development. She taught first grade in Loudoun County for twelve years, allowing her the privilege to mentor teachers and build Professional Learning Communities. This then inspired her to return to George Mason University to earn her second Master’s in Educational Leadership which led her to the Dean position at Discovery for three years.
She has a daughter who recently completed her Master's in Data Science with an emphasis on Computer Science from American University and currently works as a Data Scientist for a federal contractor. Ms. Ragan also has an angelic black lab/dachshund mix who does not enjoy being left home alone! Ms. Ragan loves to read and her favorite children’s book is whichever one she is currently reading. She enjoys cooking with her daughter and exploring new cuisines.
Ms. Ragan looks forward to another outstanding year at Discovery as we blaze new trails together!
Please feel free to contact her anytime by Email Deborah Ragan, at school at (571) 252-2370, or follow her on Twitter @AP_Ragan .
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~
Mrs. Lisa Pavelko -Elementary Dean
Mrs. Pavelko is a graduate of Penn State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood and Adolescent Education and a minor in Special Education. She is also a graduate of George Mason University, where she obtained a Master's in Educational Leadership. She is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and happily made the move to Virginia in 2015 to join the wonderful Discovery team!
Mrs. Pavelko now lives in Leesburg with her husband, Mitchell. Together, they enjoy spending time with family and friends, finding new places to visit in Virginia, and FaceTiming with their nieces, Rory and Sloan! Mr. and Mrs. Pavelko are thrilled to be welcoming their first baby girl in December 2023.
What is most important to Mrs. Pavelko is that Discovery fosters risk-taking, collaboration, trust, and acceptance of others and their differences. Our goal is that every student in our building feels cared for, valued, and respected.
Mrs. Pavelko is looking forward to a fantastic year and is always open to any questions, comments, or concerns.
Ms. Carla Browning-Elementary Special Ed. Dean
As a Special Education Dean at Loudoun County Public School District, I oversee and ensure the compliance, quality, and effectiveness of the special education programs and services for students with disabilities. I have over 12 years of experience in the education sector, ranging from teaching leadership skills in the classroom, to coordinating intervention and remediation programs, to assisting in the implementation of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) across the district.
My core competencies include administration, compliance, MTSS, intervention, behavior, and organizational development. I am passionate about building community partnerships, bridging racial and socio-economic divides, and improving morale, behavior, and parent engagement. I hold a Postgraduate Professional License in Administration & Supervision PreK-12 and an Early Education PreK-6th endorsement from the Virginia Department of Education. My mission is to provide high-quality and equitable education for all students, especially those with diverse and complex needs.