Principal: Lawrence Dance (Lawrence.Dance2@k12.dc.gov)
As a native Washingtonian and a proud product of DC Public Schools, Mr. Lawrence Dance developed his passion for education as a high school student at Calvin Coolidge Senior High School. While at Coolidge he enrolled in the Teachers Profession Program for future educators. From there, Mr. Dance went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Master of Education in Multicultural Education at Eastern University.
Shortly after receiving his degree at Eastern University, he made the decision to come back to Washington, D.C. to pour into the lives of young men and women just as others poured into him. Over the past 11 years, Mr. Dance has served DCPS as a 3rd grade teacher, middle school math teacher, math coach, teacher-leader, summer school principal, assistant principal, and most recently, Resident
Principal at Plummer Elementary.
Shortly after receiving his degree at Eastern University, he made the decision to come back to Washington, D.C. to pour into the lives of young men and women just as others poured into him. Over the past 11 years, Mr. Dance has served DCPS as a 3rd grade teacher, middle school math teacher, math coach, teacher-leader, summer school principal, assistant principal, and most recently, Resident
Principal at Plummer Elementary.
Assistant Principal: Tonya Combs (Tonya.Combs@k12.dc.gov)
Ms. Tonya Combs is a dedicated and passionate leader with over 20 years of education experience. She began her career in Dayton, Ohio where she was born and raised. Since her career, Ms. Combs has served as a Reading Curriculum Coordinator, grade-level chair, and most recently an ELA instructional coach with DCPS over the past several years. For most of her career, Ms. Combs has been on various instructional leadership teams and instrumental in improving students' reading scores in DIBELS, Reading Inventory, and the ELA PARCC Assessment. Ms. Combs holds a Master of Arts degree in Middle Childhood Education (grades 4-9) and a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Trinity Washington University. Finally, she holds an OSSE Teacher Certification and Standard Administrator Credential in grades PreK-12.
Manager, Strategy & Logistics (MSL): Tildon Copeland (Tildon.Copeland@k12.dc.gov)
Mr. Tildon Copeland is a proven and exemplary leader, possessing a wealth of experience from the classroom to the boardroom. Hailing from Ft. Myers Florida, he matriculated through the School District of Lee County and went on to further his education at Florida State University. A double major student, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Textile Science. Upon graduation, he began his career in the classroom as a math instructor in Charlotte, North Carolina. His mastery with numbers led him to the retail industry, coordinating management and logistics for many Fortune 500 specialty retailers. His range of experience with various demographics, regions, and industries, sets him apart as an expert with both people and business. After almost 20 years in the business sector, he excitedly joined DC Public Schools, returning to the field where his career first began - education.