Announcing our Next Head of School

On November 11, 2022, Trinity Christian School's Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Dr. Matt Thomas as Trinity's next Head of School starting August 1, 2023. He will succeed Dr. David Vanderpoel, who has led Trinity since 2005.

A Message from the Board of Trustees

Dr. Thomas' heart for the Lord, for his family, for people--young and old; his vast professional experience, breadth of knowledge, strength of mind; his passion for Christian education, and lighthearted, engaging manner all drew us to him.

Shannon Allen, Chair, Board of Trustees

A Letter from Dr. Matt Thomas

Dear Trinity Family,

The privilege and honor of being your next Head of School humbles me greatly. Each day, I awaken with an awareness of God’s goodness and kindness in providing this calling on my life and to my family. The Lord has faithfully brought the words of the Psalmist to my mind,

"The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places…my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices." Psalm 16:6, 9

This psalm has been instructive for me throughout this process, not only because I am delighting in those pleasant places but because I have been introduced to situations and outcomes where I must entrust myself and my family’s future to the Lord and his care. Because of God’s faithfulness and encouragement, I look back over the last several months with joy and gratitude.

During my tenure at Baylor University, I came to appreciate Trinity and its positive reputation as a healthy and vibrant Christian school. Since then, I have visited campus, met faculty and administrators, spent time with staff and parents, and now know the reputation is well-deserved because I have experienced the love, grace, and warmth of a Christian community pursuing excellence for mind and heart.

I am deeply grateful that Trinity has enjoyed 35 years of God’s favor and blessing. My ultimate aim is to bring God glory by continuing to build on the rich foundation that has already been laid and exploring new ways to further his glory through the flourishing of each student, faculty and staff member, and family who call Trinity home.

My wife, Beth, and I are eager to begin this new season of ministry. Our daughters, Emma (16), Elli (14), and Abby (10) are also thrilled at the prospect of entering a new school and building new friendships.

As I close this letter, I want to thank Mrs. Shannon Allen for her leadership throughout this process. Additionally, I would like to thank the Search Committee and the Board of Trustees for the excellence and professionalism they modeled. And, finally, thank you, Dr. and Mrs. Vanderpoel, for the hospitality and warmth you extended to Beth and me during our visit.

Please know that Trinity is being lifted in prayer daily by the Thomas family. We can’t wait to be home.

Grace and Peace,

Matt Thomas, Ed.D.

A Letter to TCS Faculty and Staff

A Letter to TCS Faculty and Staff

Dear Trinity Faculty and Staff,

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as Trinity’s next Head of School. I am humbled at the prospect of serving alongside each of you because of the positive reputation this faculty and staff has gained, not only among the families of Trinity but across the country as well. I am also eager to join the work that Trinity is doing and look forward to finding ways to catalyze that work for the flourishing of each student and to the glory of God.

Because our profession makes all others possible, I enter this role with a sobriety that leaders in other industries are not required to possess. It is with this understanding that I state there is no greater privilege or responsibility than to form the hearts and minds of the students God has entrusted to our care. This is the work I am most excited about entering in to with each of you.

A priority of mine when I arrive on campus will be to not only get to know the work you are responsible for but also to get to know the people responsible for the work. Unfortunately, time did not permit me to meet each of you or to directly learn of the critically important work you are doing to further the mission of Trinity on my recent visit. For those I met, I hope that you observed in my disposition and distinguished in my conversations an unwavering commitment to serve teachers and staff. I believe that if serving is below a person then leading is above them as well.

Please know that the Trinity faculty and staff are being prayed for daily by the Thomas family. My wife, Beth, and I are counting down the days until we meet you and also look forward to joyfully entrusting our children to your care. Emma (16), Elli (14), and Abby (10) are the treasures that I bring to Trinity. I am indebted to the Lord’s good providence for allowing them to experience the rich educational and spiritual environments already in existence. Full disclosure, providing my daughters with an opportunity to learn, grow, and mature in Christ under the shaping influence of the Trinity faculty and staff may be one of the realities of which I am most humbled.

I close this letter with my life verse. I pray it encourages you in your work and informs you of the leadership disposition I aspire to model at Trinity.

"I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24

Thrilled to testify to the gospel of the grace of God with each of you.

Grace and Peace,

Matt Thomas, Ed.D.

A Letter to TCS Students

A Letter to TCS Students

Dear Trinity Students,

My name is Dr. Matt Thomas and I have the distinct honor of being the next Head of School at Trinity. I’ll tell you more about myself in just a minute but first, please know that the opportunity to be the incoming Head of School is one of the highest honors in my life and career. A significant part of that reason is because of the students who make Trinity what it is. In the past several months, I have met families, former students, and former Virginians who have expressed their congratulations because of the students I will have the privilege to serve. Your reputation as a student body is characterized as loving, compassionate, Christ-honoring, and welcoming. Few schools can boast of students with these qualities. I can’t wait to meet each of you.

A little about me:

I am currently working at Baylor University and serve Christian schools across the United States and internationally. I have worked with some of the best Christian schools and leaders in the country and now, I am thrilled to work with some of the best students in the country as well. I love being with my family, spending time with people, running, and Jesus (although not in that order.)

I also want you to know that the Trinity students are being prayed for daily by the Thomas family. My wife and I are counting down the days until we meet you and also look forward to introducing you to our daughters Emma (16), Elli (14), and Abby (10).

Our family verses are Proverbs 3:5-7 and they have become the essence of my prayers for each of you as well.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil."

I look forward to meeting each of you and being a part of this incredible family.

Go Gryphons,

Dr. Thomas

In Dr. Thomas’ first interview with the Search Committee, he was asked, “How would you want Trinity parents, teachers and students to fill in the following blanks? ‘Trinity parents love me because ______. Trinity teachers love me because ______. Trinity students love me because ______.’” Without hesitation, Dr. Thomas replied, “Trinity parents love me because I partner with them. Trinity teachers love me because I advocate for them. Trinity students love me because I love them, and they know it.”

-Head of School Search Committee Member

More about Dr. Thomas

Dr. Thomas currently serves as the Executive Director of the Center for School Leadership at Baylor University. In his role, he oversees the operations of the Center, leads development, strategy, planning, and the coordination of programs serving more than 900 schools. Dr. Thomas has served in education for more than 25 years. Serving in Christian schools, Christian higher education, seminaries, the Christian non-profit sector, and pastoral ministry, Dr. Thomas has devoted his career to serving and strengthening Christian educational institutions for the flourishing of students, faculty, and staff.

Dr. Thomas grounds his leadership in a desire to catalyze leadership effectiveness in those helping Christian institutions best fulfill their missions. His interests include mentoring as a means to develop leadership within organizations, organizational culture and health, board competency, and spiritual formation. Ultimately, Dr. Thomas seeks to assist Christian leaders in understanding their identity in Christ and how identity-focused leadership empowers one to effectively engage the seismic shifts facing Christian institutions.

Dr. Thomas has been married to Beth for 28 years and has three daughters, Emma (16), Elli (14), and Abby (10).

Get to Know Dr. Thomas

How did you and Beth meet?

What do you like to do in your downtime, or what do you as a family like to do?

What is exciting to you and your family about moving to Northern Virginia?

When the Board was interviewing Dr. Thomas, and he’d get asked a particularly difficult question, he’d stop, look at the person, and say, “Thank you, [name], for asking me that.” It was completely sincere; he genuinely appreciated the hard questions. He knew they were an indication of the Board’s commitment to Trinity and its mission – a commitment that I fully believe Dr. Thomas shares.

-Trinity Trustee

In Gratitude

We are grateful to the Search Committee for giving so much of their time, heart, and self to this process. The Lord used their faithfulness and trust in him to help carry us to where are now, and we are deeply appreciative of their partnership and sacrifice.

Trinity community, thank you for your prayers, support, patience, and encouragement over these months.

Looking Ahead

We look forward to what God will do both in and through Trinity for generations to come. He is faithful and worthy of all honor and praise. To him be the glory now and forevermore.