Administration

Mr. John Gabriel

Mr. John Gabriel

Phone: 571-367-4200

Email Mr. John Gabriel

Mr. Gabriel was excited to open Independence High School in 2019!  Prior to Independence, Mr. Gabriel opened John Champe High School, where he served as principal for seven years. Mr. Gabriel also worked as an assistant principal at Park View High School for seven years.  As an English teacher, Mr. Gabriel worked in three school systems, and he taught all levels of English, from remedial English through Advanced Placement Literature and Composition. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Mary Washington College and a Masters in Educational Leadership from George Mason University. He is the author of three books—Dealing with the Tough Stuff (Jossey Bass 2012); How to Help Your School Thrive (ASCD, 2009); How to Thrive as a Teacher Leader (ASCD, 2005)—and has presented staff development to schools and at national and international conferences. Mr. Gabriel was the Loudoun County Principal of the Year in 2017 and a semi-finalist for the Washington Post Principal of the Year. He looks forward to empowering Independence students to make meaningful contributions to the world each day.

Assistant Principals

Jonathan Bonner

Jonathan Bonner

Mr. Jonathan Bonner is another one of our assistant principals! Mr. Bonner served as assistant principal at John Champe for two years. Prior to that, he was a dean at Simpson Middle and a summer school dean at Dominion High. He was formerly a math teacher at Lunsford Middle as well as a Department Chair in Alexandria City Public Schools. He earned his undergraduate in Mathematics Education from SUNY Cortland, a Master of Arts from Stony Brook University, and an Endorsement in Administration and Supervision from George Mason University. 

Mr. Kim

Mr. Kim

Mr. Kim is honored and excited to be an assistant principal and part of this wonderful community at Independence High School. He opened Independence as department chair of the Social Science and Global Studies department. He came to Independence from Tuscarora High School where he taught DE Government, AP US History, Academic US History, AP Economics and Academic Economics. He holds a B.A. in History and a M.A.T. from James Madison University. (Go Dukes!)

Mr. Kim was also a proud founding sponsor of the Indy Unified Sports teams.

Independence HS logo

Jennifer Piccolomini

Ms. Jennifer Piccolomini is an Assistant Principal at Independence High School. Ms. Piccolomini began her career as a Health and Physical Education teacher at Farmwell Station Middle School and served as the varsity assistant girls basketball coach at Heritage High School and the varsity girls basketball coach at Loudoun Valley High School. In 2010, Ms. Piccolomini moved to Park View High School, where she served as an Assistant Principal until coming to Independence in 2021. Ms. Piccolomini earned her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education from McDaniel College and her graduate degree in Education Leadership from George Mason University.

Jennifer Traina

Jennifer Traina

Mrs. Jennifer Traina is one of the assistant principals at Independence! Mrs. Traina began her career as a biology teacher who helped to open Briar Woods; while there, she was also the SCA advisor, Activities Coordinator, and varsity softball coach who led her team to a state championship. Mrs. Traina began her career in administration by opening John Champe High School seven years ago as an assistant principal and held a variety of responsibilities in that position. Mrs. Traina earned her undergraduate from Longwood University and her Master’s from George Mason University. 

Directors

Mr. Rogers

Mr. Rogers, Athletic Director

Phone: 571-367-4200

Email Ryan Rogers

Ryan Rogers came to Independence High School from Heritage High where he spent four years in the Athletic Department. In his time at Heritage, he helped transform the athletic program from one of complacency to one full of competitive drive and a winning attitude.  The coaches that Mr. Rogers attracted in his short stint at Heritage helped create this winning culture. He also impacted the culture there by working closely with a local graphic design firm to rebrand the school.  This energized the athletes and student body which resulted in wins and well-attended events.  He loves developing the culture at Independence, building winning programs, and establishing partnerships. Before Mr. Rogers was promoted to athletic administration, he was a life-long athlete and coach.  He has played sports all his life, including wrestling, football, baseball, and running cross country in high school.  For nine years, Mr. Rogers was the head varsity wrestling coach at Briar Woods High School, where he opened the school and trained youth in wrestling and life skills for success.  During his tenure as coach, he had two individual back-to-back VHSL state champions.  

Jaclyn Smith

Jaclyn Smith, Director of School Counseling

Ms. Jaclyn Smith is the Director of School Counseling! Ms. Smith was previously Director at Dominion High School since 2014 and prior to that she was a counselor there for six years. Under her leadership, the counseling program earned the ASCA Recognized National Model Program distinction in 2017. She also coordinates the freshmen mentoring program and Sources of Strength. She earned her undergraduate in Sociology and Religious Studies at the University of Virginia, her Master’s in Counselor Education from there as well, and also holds a second Master’s in Student Personnel in Higher Education from the University of Florida.