Dustin Wright with vintage photos of Fairfax City schools above him.
A love of music and a desire to teach fueled Dustin Wright’s career in education. And on Dec. 1, 2025, he officially became Fairfax City’s new superintendent of schools.
As a youth, he played tuba and trombone. So in high school, he wanted to someday become a music teacher and a performer. And after graduating from college, said Wright, “I performed with professional orchestras, jazz bands and everything in between.”
Still, the pull of teaching was strong. “My degree was in music education – and I’d had lots of amazing, inspiring teachers growing up, so I had a passion for teaching,” he said. “Linda Gammon, my band director at Robinson Middle School, was one of the main reasons I got into teaching.”
Later on, he taught music with her for six years at Carson Middle School in his one and only teaching job. However, Wright had aspirations beyond the classroom and, along the way, he obtained a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from George Mason University. In 2012, he became assistant principal at Fairfax Villa Elementary; and two years later, he assumed the same position at Daniels Run Elementary.
“At Carson, we had over 300 students in the band, and it was so fulfilling,” he said. “I learned what a difference I could make.” He chose administration, though, “to make as large an impact on as many students, teachers, parents and staff members as possible.”
Turns out, he loved it. “It was challenging, exciting and never the same every day,” said Wright. “I worked really hard to support our students, teachers and families, and that was a great way to spend my day. I loved interacting with the students, being in the classrooms, and going to nighttime events and field trips.” And he still got to perform music.
“As assistant principal, I played trumpet with the band and bass with the orchestra in concerts,” he said. “But the best part was seeing a student have a success – a lightbulb moment, meeting a goal and making a good choice.”
In 2016, Wright became principal of Olde Creek Elementary, near Woodson High. “With just 400 students, it had an amazing community feel and allowed me to develop the best relationships,” he said. “And our teachers were wonderful. I learned a lot. When you become a principal, you’re ultimately responsible for everything that happens there and for everything that school’s name is attached to – and I took it very seriously.”
Then in January 2020, he took over as principal of Franklin Middle School in Chantilly. But with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, students there and elsewhere spent nearly a whole year doing remote learning. In spring 2021, they returned to school two days a week.
“Being a principal through COVID, I adapted by working with students, teachers and families I didn’t have the opportunity to know, so it taught me how important communication is,” said Wright. He was at Franklin until 2023, when he moved to the FCPS central office for a year as executive director for strategy and planning.
There, he helped Fairfax County’s school system implement its new, strategic plan for student success. “It was wonderful,” he said. “I missed being in school with the students every day, but I loved getting the opportunity to impact schools throughout the county.”
Next, in July 2024, Wright shifted to Falls Church City Public Schools. Its superintendent, Peter Noonan – who previously held that post in Fairfax City’s school system – hired him as chief of schools, comparable to the position of assistant superintendent of schools.
“I supervised all the principals and supported the five schools’ day-to-day operations,” said Wright. “I enjoyed supervising the principals; I watched them become better and stronger leaders, and it was really satisfying playing a role in that. I also loved being part of a small community and forming some strong relationships there. And similar to the City of Fairfax, those relationships are strong because you get to see the same people a lot.”
Then, continuing his upward trajectory, he applied to Fairfax City’s School Board to become its superintendent, succeeding Jeff Platenberg, who retired in July 2025. Wright was hired that November and began his new job Dec. 1, 2025.
“I wanted to be able to grow my impact on students,” he said. “This school system has a strong track record of excellence, and I wanted to be a part of it. For the last 17 years, I’ve been a proud City of Fairfax resident with my wife Monique – who teaches music at Colvin Run Elementary – and our three children.”
“We have an eighth-grade son, and boy-and-girl twins in sixth grade,” continued Wright. “And I think there’s no greater way to show the community that you’re committed, and all in, than by working in the same community where you reside.”
He’s visited all four City schools and said it’s “exciting to see the great work that’s happening in each building. It’s very apparent how committed our community is to supporting our schools and educators – and that’s the best type of place to be a superintendent.”
Calling it “a privilege and an honor” to have this role, Wright said, “I wouldn’t be in a position like this without all the support I’ve received along the way from family, friends, students, mentors. And I’m incredibly excited to be here. The City of Fairfax is such a strong community, and I’m looking forward to being a leader in it. It’s the best of both worlds – a place with a small-town feel, deep relationships and a sense of community, with our nation’s capital right next door.”
Regarding his philosophy of leadership, he places a priority on “great communication and being visible and accessible.” For example, the day he spoke with The Connection, he planned on attending a girls varsity basketball game at Fairfax High afterward and a band concert at Katherine Johnson Middle School the next day.
“I’ll be at community events, such as festivals and parades, as well,” said Wright. “And I’ll be a tireless champion for our students and keep them at the center of everything we do.”
He expects the toughest part of being a superintendent will be “trying to learn everything I need to know about this job and school system.” But, he added, “I’m comfortable asking lots of questions.” As for the best part, he said it’ll be “spending time in our schools with the students and seeing whatever this school system can do to support their success.”