Ms. Edwards, a transplant to Northern Virginia from rural central Illinois, has dedicated her life to public education from a very young age. In second grade, she penned a heartfelt paper about her dream to become a teacher—a piece that still hangs proudly in her home office as a testament to her enduring commitment to this goal.

Ms. Edwards earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Reading and Science from the University of Dubuque. She further specialized by obtaining her English as a New Language endorsement from Wichita State University. Driven to expand her leadership capabilities, she also earned a Master's Degree in Administrative Leadership from Indiana University.

Over the course of her more than 29-year career, Ms. Edwards has accumulated a wealth of experience across public, private, and non-profit educational sectors. Her work has taken her across the United States and as far afield as Guam, where she has played pivotal roles in turning around underperforming schools. Her dedication and impact in the field have not gone unnoticed; she has received numerous accolades including the Good Apple Teaching Award, Teacher of the Year, Virginia ASCD Impact Award, and the FCPS Outstanding Leader Award. Most recently, her leadership has earned her a nomination for the prestigious FCPS Principal of the Year award.

When she is not championing educational initiatives, Ms. Edwards enjoys a variety of personal hobbies. She loves baking, which allows her to indulge her creative side, and she stays active by spending time outdoors. Additionally, she takes great pride in tending to her collection of unique houseplants.