Principal
Phone: (571) 367-4230
Email: Mr. Tim Sparbanie

Welcome to Elaine E. Thompson Elementary School

My name is Tim Sparbanie, and I am honored to be the Principal here at Elaine Thompson Elementary School. While I am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I have called Virginia my home for many years.  I am married to a wonderful woman, Joyce, who is a nurse by training and now a stay-at-home mom and swim coach.  Together, we have five wonderful children. This year our children are attending schools ranging from college all the way down to sixth grade!  We currently live in Lovettsville.
In 1994 I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Duquesne University, in Pittsburgh.  That year I began my teaching career right here in Loudoun County at Emerick Elementary.  I have spent many years teaching at both the elementary and middle school levels here in Loudoun, culminating with being nominated for the Agnes Meyer Teacher of the Year.  I have done graduate work at Shenandoah University, the University of Virginia, and George Mason University.  In December of 2013, I earned a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from George Mason.  In July of 2014, I began my administrative career, where student success was, and remains my highest priority.
I look forward to working with the teachers, parents, and the entire Elaine Thompson community to make your son/daughter's educational experience here both personal and authentic.  While our students have enjoyed a great deal of success, we will continue to push ourselves to even greater heights by placing a strong emphasis on deeper learning.  It will be our goal to have our students become excellent communicators, collaborators, creators, critical thinkers, and contributors.  In order to continue to promote this type of deep thinking and learning, we will continue expanding our rigorous and relevant Project-Based Learning opportunities and will introduce student-led conferences, and Personalized Learning.  These initiatives, coupled with building strong student-teacher relationships, will allow our students to “own” their learning, and will provide them a voice in establishing individualized learning goals to maximize their achievement.
If you ever have any questions, concerns, or compliments, please do not hesitate to contact me immediately. 

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter:  @TimSparbanie
You can also follow our school's journey using #TeamThompson

Assistant Principal
Email: Maureen Sidor

Hello Elaine Thompson Tiger Sharks!

Fun Fact #1: Did you know that tiger sharks consume just about everything and anything they come across? I hope the Tiger Sharks who walk into the our building on August 24 have appetites for learning that are just as insatiable and diverse.

Most recently, I was the Instructional Facilitator of Technology (IFT) at Lowes Island ES. In that role I worked with teachers, administrators, and students onsite, as well as with curriculum and technology cohorts from around LCPS, to ensure that educational guidelines and goals were being met with regard to equipment, instructional design, and strategic targets. I have worn many hats in teaching and administrative roles at prior career opportunities. I have worked at both Middle and Elementary school levels; in both public and in private schools; and in core subject areas such as math and science - as well as with emerging priorities like instructional coaching, differentiation, technology integration, and curriculum development. My primary passion is working with and enabling teachers to be all they can be each and every day.

Fun Fact #2: Did you know that tiger sharks have no natural predators in the oceans? Reducing and eliminating intimidating preconceptions, distractions, and hurdles makes for a learning environment where teachers and students can be comfortable and thrive. 

I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio, but have now actually lived in Virginia for a greater number of years. I received my B.S. in Education from St. Bonaventure University, and my Masters degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and in Educational Leadership from George Mason University. I have a wonderful husband, Gary, five amazing children, and one old but spunky dog.

Fun Fact #3: The biggest threat to the survival of juvenile tiger sharks is adult tiger sharks. Interesting (gulp!)… but with this one I want to illustrate how DIFFERENT an environment our sharks at ETES will have with that of our namesake. At ETES I envision a partnership and forging of a community where we support and work with families to provide the perfect setting and all of the tools and opportunities for students to love learning and to embrace their potentials.

I enjoy traveling, watching movies, and cheering on my kids on the sidelines. I am also a voracious reader (with an especially soft spot for historical/period fiction). I can’t wait to get to know and grow with each and every one of you. (And, if you are wondering, I try my best to limit my moments where I could be described as “mulled,” “sour”, “hard,” “fruity,” “tart,” or “spiked”, but my last name IS pronounced exactly like the delicious beverage made from pressed apples!

Administrative Dean

Let's Go Tiger Sharks!

I am so excited to join the amazing administration team at Elaine Thompson. I am a proud graduate of Loudoun County Public Schools, graduating from Park View. There were only FOUR high schools in Loudoun until I was a senior. Crazy to think about. My family will be the first to tell you that my passion for teaching began at a very young age! I absolutely love this profession and couldn't think of any other way I would want to spend my days. 

My undergraduate is in Elementary Education from Radford University. While finsihing my bachelor degree, I was offered the opportunity to be the first student start a Master's in Reading program at Virginia Tech. I began my career in Loudoun at Seldens Landing Elementary teaching first, second, and third grade. While at Seldens, I earned my National Boards certification. I then had the amazing opportunity to open Moorefield Station in 2013. This is where my leadership journey began. After taking on many leadership roles I decided to go back to school to get my second Master's in Educational Leadership from Old Dominion University. I was able to use my leadership degree and my passion for literacy to begin my journey as a Specialized Instructional Facilitatr of Reading with the Office of Special Education. Although I loved my role as SIF-R, I missed having my homebase. I decided to head back into a school building. I was given the opportunity to open Elaine Thompson, as Reading Specialist. My passion for providing evidence based literacy instruction took root at Thompson. I was also able to bring the House System to Thompson when we opened our doors. BLUE HOUSE! I will continue to support all our students in the role of Administrative Dean!

My family is orginally from upstate NY. GO GIANTS AND YANKEES!!! I am married with three amazing children. My oldest son attends Rock Ridge High School, my middle son attends Stone Hill Middle, and our little girl is here at Thompson! Both my boys play travel hockey for Ashburn Xtreme and my husband coaches. So anytime I am not at school, I am mostly likely at an ice rink on the east coast. 

I am so excited for the year ahead. Don't forget to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @tfurtek22 to see all the amazing things our students accomplish!