By: Caroline Ayres, Staff Writer
South Lakes High School’s new principal, Carlos Seward, is committed not only to leading, but also to listening. He wants the community to know that “I don’t want to be the principal, I want to be your principal.”
Seward, who replaced former principal Kimberly Retzer, hosted multiple meet-the-principal events in late July. He offered information about himself and his values, and opened the floor to the community’s questions.
Seward received his principal training at William & Mary, and previously worked as a principal in Rappahannock County. Although Rappahannock County and Reston are vastly different in many ways, both are tight-knit communities.
Seward acknowledges he will be jumping into new experiences at the start of the school year, but is learning everything he can to prepare. However, he’s undeterred and eager to embrace it. “Here’s the difference between me and the other people on Earth,” he said, grinning at the crowd of parents, students, and staff members. “I’m drinking from the firehose, but I’m thirsty.”
Describing himself as “realistically positive,” Seward made it clear that he is just as committed to kindness and community as he is to keeping the school safe and orderly. “I believe in structure. I believe in systems. I also believe in compassion,” he said.
Seward said he prefers to spend time around the school instead of in his office, and wants to prepare South Lakes students for the “Three E’s” – employment, enrollment, and enlistment.” He is committed to ensuring that every family’s investment in education is looked after at South Lakes.
Reston principals are ready to start the year! New South Lakes High School principal, Mr. Carlos Seward, Hunters Woods Elementary principal, Mrs. Emily Cope, and Langston Hughes principal Dr.Herman Mizell spent some quality time with fun llamas over the summer
Photo by Maria Walkup
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