Celebrating National Assistant Principals Week: Honoring the Heart of Our Schools

Assistant Principal Aidan Vigil was born and mostly raised in Fairfax, Virginia—except for a few formative years in Honduras, where his father was stationed with the CIA. In high school, Aidan played varsity football and soccer, and was deeply inspired by his coaches. “They showed me the impact educators can have in teaching life skills. They taught me that things won’t always go your way, and that’s part of life.”

Aidan was also strongly influenced by his father, Dan Vigil. For a time, he imagined himself joining the CIA, perhaps after a few years of teaching to get established. His father's stories, often centered on promoting social good through intelligence work, left a lasting impression.

“He wasn’t a spy,” Aidan laughs. “He was more of a finance officer than a James Bond type… but growing up, I found the CIA’s value of inclusivity fascinating.”

The events of 9/11 had a profound impact on Aidan, who was in 8th grade at the time. From her office at the Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother witnessed the plane strike the Pentagon. The attack changed everything, deepening his awareness of national service and the world beyond his own.

At Radford University, Aidan double majored in philosophy and religious studies and social science education (grades 6–12). He was particularly interested in exploring how religion shapes social behavior and motivates people.

When he graduated in 2010, the housing crisis had taken its toll on the job market, pushing many toward education careers. Though general education positions were scarce, Aidan began coaching sports at Herndon High School while continuing his job search. About a year later, he accepted a special education teaching position at Herndon Middle School—where he had once been a student himself.

Though he lacked formal experience, Aidan leaned heavily on the lessons from his undergraduate professor, Dr. Darren Minarik, whose introduction to one special education course left a lasting mark. “He helped me understand that all students are students. What’s good for exceptional learners or students with disabilities is good for everyone.”

Aidan spent three years at Herndon Middle School, followed by five years at Herndon High School, where he taught history and government. He remembers his first teaching job with particular fondness. He considers himself, first and foremost, a “relationship builder.” He credits the close-knit, supportive teaching staff at Herndon Middle for making a challenging role manageable. Among that group of first-year special education teachers was Brittany Tiplady—now Brittany Vigil—who became his wife and is currently a special education math teacher and central office administrator.

By the time Aidan was named assistant principal at McLean High School in Fairfax County, he had fully embraced education as his true calling—his earlier dreams of the CIA now in the rearview mirror. The toughest part of transitioning into administration, he says, was losing the daily, direct connection with students. But he soon found new ways to build relationships. “You have to be in the hallways, in the lunchroom, as much as possible,” he says. “You have to make sure they know you’re there for them.”

Shortly after arriving at McLean, he was named assistant principal at Longfellow Middle School, where he continues to serve today—and where he’s glad to be back working with middle schoolers. “Middle school kids are still so young and need more support than high schoolers,” he says. “I love seeing how much they change and grow in a year.” For Aidan, building strong connections with students remains the heart of the job. He adds, “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”

At home, Aidan and Brittany are raising three young children—Kaleb (8), Connor (6) and Gemma (3). Though he no longer coaches high school sports, he volunteers with his children’s teams when he can. He’s also pursuing his doctorate at the University of Virginia, focusing on a subject close to his heart: special education teacher retention. “Research shows they leave at twice the rate of general education teachers,” he notes.

Family life keeps the Vigils busy, but they make time for outings to the Smithsonian—most recently the Air and Space Museum—and are planning a Disney cruise for spring break. Aidan, a devoted fan of all D.C. sports teams (except for his childhood favorite, the Denver Broncos), enjoys watching games whenever he finds a free moment.

Professionally, he remains active in education leadership. He is a member of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) and participates in the Fairfax County Federation of Principals, Supervisors, and Administrators, AFSA Local 147. “It’s new and exciting,” he says of the union’s recent growth.

Even with his full plate, Aidan keeps a watchful eye on the evolving landscape of education. He reflects on how much has changed since the pandemic, particularly in terms of technology and the growing emphasis on mental health and social-emotional learning. “Teaching is totally different because of technology,” he says. “And there are so many new needs—mental health, emotional support—but schools are still making a huge impact, even with fewer people.”