Leadership Team

Principal

Rachael Dischner is the founding principal at Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School (FTD). She has been a part of the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) community since 2017 when she was first appointed principal of the Early Childhood Center at John Adams Elementary School where she was instrumental in working with school administrators and ACPS facilities staff on the physical and instructional design of both the new pre-K center and FTD.

Dischner was previously an assistant principal at Randolph Elementary School in Arlington Public Schools and a special education coordinator for Child Find in Arlington. Ms. Dischner began her career as a special education teacher in Ventura County, California.

Dischner has a master’s degree in educational leadership from George Mason University and a certificate in special education from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California. She has multiple postgraduate professional licenses including administration and supervision Pre-K-12, early childhood special education, emotional disturbance K-12, intellectual disabilities K-12 and specific learning disabilities K-12. Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers.

Email: ferdinanddayprincipal@acps.k12.va.us

Assistant Principal

Kaitlyn Side is the assistant principal at Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School. Ms. Side was previously an English Language Learner (ELL) teacher, test coordinator and kindergarten teacher for Alexandria City Public schools. She also taught kindergarten in Arlington Public Schools. Ms. Side holds a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and child studies from Lesley University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from The George Washington University. She holds multiple postgraduate professional licenses including administration and supervision Pre-K-12, early/primary education PreK-3, and English as a second language PreK-12. Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers.