Administration

Leigh Boyd

Mrs. Leigh Boyd

Phone: (571) 367-4130
Email Leigh Boyd

I am honored and excited to be chosen as the principal of Henrietta Lacks Elementary School. I obtained my Master's degree in Administration and Supervision from George Mason University. My career in education began in 2008, teaching second and third grade before becoming an Assistant Principal in 2018. I have a wealth of experience with diverse student populations and has always been dedicated to leadership opportunities.

One of my top priorities is building a school culture that values relationships and community involvement. I firmly believe that every student can achieve their full potential when they feel connected to their whole school community. Additionally, I am a strong advocate for personalized learning pathways that cater to each student's unique needs. I believe in implementing progressive, rigorous, and authentic learning experiences that equip children with the skills they need for the future, ensuring they can reach their full potential and make meaningful contributions to our world. Above all, I am devoted to ensuring that every student has a fantastic school experience, inspiring a love of learning that will last a lifetime. 

When I am not working hard as the principal of Henrietta Lacks Elementary School, I enjoy spending time with her husband, Adam, and daughter, Makenzie. I am also an avid equestrian and love riding and competing with horses. Additionally, I enjoy reading fiction books and spending time with family members in New York and Georgia.

Jessica Lee

Mrs. Jessica Lee

Phone: (571) 367-4130
Email Jessica Lee

I am thrilled to serve the Henrietta Lacks Elementary School community as your Assistant Principal! Learning should be joyful! I am deeply committed to fostering and maintaining positive, collaborative relationships as we work to ensure that our students are achieving excellence through authentic, rigorous experiences every day. Every student has unique strengths and needs. By providing diverse learning experiences, we can empower our Honey Bees to reach their full potential and become lifelong learners who make meaningful contributions to the world.

Prior to joining the Henrietta Lacks team, I served as an assistant principal at Goshen Post Elementary School here in Loudoun County. Going back a number of years, I started my career in education in Frederick County, VA as a third grade teacher in a multi-subject, co-taught classroom. Years later, I shifted into a new role as an elementary instructional coach. This work focused on best practices to support students’ social-emotional, behavioral, and academic needs through job-embedded professional learning with teachers and staff.

Best practices in teaching and learning are ever-evolving, and I have made professional learning a priority throughout my career. My undergraduate degree is from West Liberty State College, a small school nestled alongside a winding country road in West Virginia. I earned my Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Virginia early in my teaching career. Most recently, I completed my certification in Supervision and Administration from James Madison University. In between these higher education experiences, I sought out training in the areas of instructional coaching, literacy, mathematics, and deeper learning. 

On a personal note, in my free time, you will likely find me listening to music or a podcast while enjoying the outdoors. I am also a fan of live theater, especially musicals! Finally, whether meeting up for dinner, enjoying a campfire, or traveling to a new destination, spending time with friends and family always fills my heart with joy.

Looking forward to making the most of every moment, Honey Bees!

Mr. Nick Frikker

Email Mr. Frikker

I am honored to be part of the leadership team here at Henrietta Lacks Elementary School. We serve a wonderful community and I look forward to building this partnership in the upcoming school year. I was raised in Pennsylvania before relocating to Virginia to begin my teaching career. I earned my Master of Arts in Teaching at the University of Pittsburgh in 2004 and my Masters in Educational Leadership from the College of William and Mary in 2021. Over my 20 years in the classroom, I have gained a plethora of knowledge and experience with a variety of diverse student populations

Prior to becoming the Dean here at Henrietta Lacks Elementary School, I served as a 5th grade teacher at Anne E. Moncure Elementary in Stafford County. However, over the course of my 20 years in education I have taught second through fifth grade in Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Prince William counties. During that time, I have found that building relationships is at the center of everything we do.

On a personal note, my wife and I have 4 beautiful children (2 girls & 2 boys). They range in age from 7 years to 1 year old, so as you can imagine they keep us quite busy. My older two are just like their dad and love to play golf (actually just putt-putt for now), but I will get them there someday. My family and I love to spend time at the beach whether it be splashing in the waves, digging in the sand, or reading a good book.

Again, I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing team and community and look forward to a wonderful school year in our state-of-the-art school.

kurtz

Dr. Courtney Kurtz

Hi everyone! I am Courtney Kurtz, your Dean of Special Education at Henrietta Lacks Elementary School.  I am committed to advancing student and parent advocacy in neurodiversity, special education law and policy, and supporting each student's unique learning style. I am passionate about creating inclusive educational environments within schools in LCPS and our community to ensure resources and opportunities are available to all students.

I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Education with licenses in General Education (PreK-6th grade) and Special Education (K-12) from Westminster College in PA. Shortly after undergrad, I earned a Master's Degree in Teaching and Learning from Liberty University, specializing in Elementary Education with a research focus on parent advocacy for students receiving special education services. Following my Masters Degree, I obtained a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University, where my research focused on improving test scores in mathematics for students receiving special education services through the NWEA MAP platform. My research is supported by a Human Subject Research certification from the U.S. Department of Defense, which supports scholarly contributions and ethical practice.

Before stepping into my 4th year as a Dean, I was a Special Education Teacher for elementary autism students within Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS). This will be my 7th year in LCPS, where I will remain dedicated to advocating for students, teachers, and families, and I look forward to many more years of service to the community.

Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband, son, and dog. We love being outdoors, cooking, doing arts and crafts, and cozying up by the fireplace for family movie nights. 

If you ever need anything at all, please do not hesitate to contact me at courtney.kurtz@lcps.org