The 2025-26 school year marks Mr. Lani’s 15th year serving as an administrator with Loudoun County Public Schools, and he is thrilled to return for his second year as principal at Lovettsville Elementary School! As a school leader, Mr. Lani strives to foster a partnership between home and school that is based upon communication, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. At Lovettsville Elementary, it will remain our goal to ensure a positive and engaging educational atmosphere that motivates each of our students to achieve their fullest potential, prepares them as 21st-century learners, and provides them with the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the world. Our students will discover their passions in an equitable, student-focused learning environment as we strive to foster their independence as learners.
Mr. Lani has served as a public school educator for the past 28 years, both in Loudoun County and the state of New York. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Messiah College in 1992. He then received a Master's degree in Reading from Long Island University in 2001 and a second Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Shenandoah University in 2007. He began his teaching career in New York, where he taught first grade and served as a reading specialist at Brook Avenue Elementary School. In 2005, he relocated to Loudoun County and joined the distinguished team of educators who comprise Loudoun County Public Schools. During his time in Loudoun, he has served as a reading specialist at Belmont Station Elementary School, Lucketts Elementary School, and Lincoln Elementary School, as a 5th-grade teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal at Evergreen Mill Elementary School, and now as Principal at Lovettsville Elementary.
Under Mr. Lani's leadership, the staff at Lovettsville Elementary will be champions for every student. We will carry the banner for our school and be merchants of hope for each other every day! Lovettsville Elementary will be a place where every student and staff member feels a sense of belonging, is highly engaged in teaching and learning, and has a strong connection to their peers and colleagues. Mr. Lani will guide the staff in implementing teaching practices with a focus on deeper learning opportunities for each student. Mr. Lani is excited about leading our incredible staff as we pilot the Thinking Maps instructional model for LCPS this year! He is also committed to ensuring that Lovettsville Elementary School achieves the status of being a fully distinguished school in the state of Virginia. It is his continuing commitment that with each school day at Lovettsville, every child will know that they have been seen, that they are loved, and that they matter! All of this is FOR LOVETTSVILLE!
The 2025/2026 school year will be Mr. Finnerty’s 2nd year as Assistant Principal at Lovettsville Elementary and marks his 8th year in LCPS. As your Assistant Principal, Mr. Finnerty is committed to fostering an environment where every student feels valued, challenged, and supported. He is a firm believer in a collaborative approach, where teachers, parents, community stakeholders, and students work together to create a dynamic and inclusive educational experience for our learners. Nurturing positive and productive partnerships with families and the greater school community is paramount to student success, and he is ready to continue this work in the upcoming school year.
Mr. Finnerty has worked in the field of education for over 10 years, most recently serving as Assistant Principal at Hovatter Elementary. He has worked in schools in multiple states, including New York, North Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia. Mr. Finnerty graduated from SUNY Cortland with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 2012. Upon graduation he relocated to North Carolina and began his career as a third-grade teacher while also enrolling in a Master of Education in Language & Literacy program with the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, graduating in 2015. Mr. Finnerty finished his post-graduate building administrator and supervision licensure program through Towson University in 2019.
Mr. Finnerty is looking forward to his second year serving the Lovettsville school community. Students, families, and staff can expect Mr. Finnerty to be a helpful, approachable, and engaged school leader.