Leadership Team

Principal

Patricia Zissios joined Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) as the principal of Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy in July 2004. Prior to coming to ACPS, Dr. Zissios had been an educator in Prince William County Public Schools and an administrator in Fairfax County Schools for a combined total of over thirty years. She has taught elementary students in grades K-6 as well as adults, the latter as a part-time faculty member in the graduate program for educational administration and supervision at George Mason University.

Dr. Zissios earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Longwood University in elementary education with a minor in German. Both her master’s and doctoral degrees are in administration and supervision, with a minor in public policy, from George Mason University. In addition, she holds a current division superintendent’s license from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

At Lyles-Crouch, Dr. Zissios implemented the Core Knowledge program which is an extremely rigorous curriculum and following a vetting process the school was named a Core Knowledge School of Distinction. In addition, her community outreach efforts have helped Lyles-Crouch to become a National School of Character and a Virginia Naturally School program site (for environmental stewardship).

During her tenure with Fairfax County Public Schools, Dr. Zissios was instrumental in the development of the Greater Springfield Community Partnership and the founding of the Crestwood Family Center, an on-site school social service support system for at-risk families. These endeavors earned her recognition as the Springfield Citizen of the Year and a recipient of the Northern Virginia Leadership Award for Public Service.

While in ACPS, Dr. Zissios has received the Washington Post Distinguished Leadership Award, was named the ACPS Principal of the Year and has been recognized by the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals with both the School Bell Award and the Don Lacey Award of Excellence in Leadership.

Phone: 703-706-4430 ext. 303

Email: Patricia.zissios@acps.k12.va.us

Assistant Principal

Laura Burkart became assistant principal at Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy in the 2022-23 academic year. Previously, Ms. Burkart was assistant principal at Mount Vernon Community School, joining Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) in 2017. Before coming to ACPS, Ms. Burkart was a teacher in Arlington Public Schools for eight years and in Arkansas for four years. Ms. Burkart holds master's degrees from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and George Mason University. 

Email: laura.burkart@acps.k12.va.us