Mrs. Michelle Derby

The 2023-2024 school year is Mrs. Derby's twentieth year in LCPS.This is Mrs. Derby's first year of returning to teaching English Learners at PFH after working in administration at Briar Woods HS for five and a half years. Prior to time at BWH, Mrs. Derby taught at PFH for seven years. As an EL teacher, she previously co-taught Algebra, World History II, and English classes. 

Before becoming an educator, Mrs. Derby worked for several years in sales and business. She has an undergraduate degree in Business Management and a minor in English Literature from Marietta College. She has a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Language Acquisition from George Mason University. Mrs. Derby also has a master's degree in Education Leadership and Administration from GMU. Her greatest passion is helping students succeed, both in school, and in life outside the school walls.

Mrs. Derby lives in the Potomac Falls community with her husband and two dogs. They have two grown daughters who both graduated from PFH and live in Virginia.

This year, Mrs. Derby's schedule is:

Block 1--Planning

Block 2--Hall Duty

Block 3--Co-taught Algebra (with Ms. Phillips)

Block 4--EL Literacy 1

Block 5--Co-taught English 12 (with Ms. Jenns)

Block 6--Planning

Block 7--Co-taught Algebra (with Ms. Phillips)

Block 8--Co-taught English 12 (with Ms. Luna)