Administration
Dr. Brian Raska, Principal
Hello Hartwood Families and Visitors!
My name is Brian Raska, and I am truly honored and proud to serve as the Principal of Hartwood Elementary. With its rich history and tradition of excellence, Hartwood is deeply committed to the academic and social well-being of all our Hornets. Our vision statement is to inspire our students to become independent thinkers in an ever-changing world. We strive to spark innovation, imagination, and creativity to ensure our students reach their full potential in a nurturing environment that prepares them for success.
At Hartwood, we strongly emphasize arts integration, blending learning with the Arts. Our team actively engages students in portrait studies, tableaus, movement, theater, music, and more. We believe that when students learn through meaningful experiences, they are more likely to retain information and develop a lifelong love for learning. You'll quickly notice our team's passion and dedication to creating this enriching environment at HES.
In addition to delivering rigorous, high-quality instruction, we understand that effective communication and collaboration are vital in fostering a successful learning experience. Our staff uses various methods to inform you about what’s happening at Hartwood and your child’s progress. We believe in the strength of community relationships, and we welcome you to reach out with any questions or concerns or even just to chat.
A bit about me: This is my sixth year as principal of Hartwood Elementary and my tenth year as a school administrator with Stafford County Public Schools. Before Hartwood, I had the privilege of serving as assistant principal at both Anthony Burns Elementary and Stafford Elementary. Before joining SCPS, I spent six years teaching in Arlington and Prince William County Schools and gained experience as an Administrative Intern. Academically, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Longwood University, Master’s degrees in Education from both the University of Virginia and George Mason University, and a Doctorate in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Outside of school, my most important roles are husband and father. My wife Ashley and I live in Fredericksburg with our three daughters—Caroline (10), Aubrey (8), and Mary Grace (5). We love spending time outdoors and supporting our favorite sports teams. Personally, I enjoy playing sports and running, and I’m an avid fan of the Orioles, Ravens, and UVA athletics. Go Wahoos!
I'm excited to continue leading our dedicated staff at HES as we strive to help every student grow into a positive and productive member of society. Thank you for your continued partnership and support in helping us achieve this goal!
Sincerely,
Brian Raska
Mrs. Heather Wright, Assistant Principal
I have been an educator in Stafford County for over 20 years, and I truly love what I do! I have taught first, second, third, and fourth grades, and I am honored to be an Assistant Principal, serving our students and families as part of Team Hartwood! I graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Child Development, received a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Mary Washington, and received my Master’s degree in Education Leadership from George Mason University.
I grew up in Manassas, Virginia, and I have lived in Stafford since getting married to my husband of 27 years. We have two daughters who graduated from SCPS, and both went on to attend Virginia Tech. We enjoy spending time with family and friends, and I love watching sports of any kind. As avid Virginia Tech football fans, we attend every home game - Go Hokies!
I am so thankful to be part of the Hartwood family! Thank you for partnering with us to foster a learning environment in which our scholars are able to develop academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. I am a strong believer in the importance of relationships. I am excited to work with your students each and every day and share my passion for education and love of our school community.
Please feel free to call or email me, or stop by if you are at school!