Jay Pearson, principal of George C. Marshall High School, has been named the 2014 Fairfax County Public Schools Principal of the Year.

Pearson began his career in FCPS in 1990, teaching social studies at Edison, West Potomac, and Lee high schools. He worked as the International Baccalaureate diploma program coordinator at Edison High from 1999-2001, then served as administrative intern and assistant principal at Edison High. In 2004, he was named assistant principal at Marshall, and became principal in 2005.

Pearson is also the recipient of The Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award. He is one of 21 principals – representing the public school systems in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and private schools – selected by The Washington Post for the award.