WASHINGTON — Tarreece Sampson had a gift of being able to connect with students in a meaningful way that went beyond classroom learning, according to his principal at Fort Hunt Elementary School, in Fairfax County.
Sampson was shot and killed outside his Alexandria-area apartment building, early Friday morning. Fairfax County police have not identified a suspect or motive in the killing.
Principal Thomas Fitzpatrick said Sampson, 24, an instructional aide who was studying to become a special education teacher, was popular with students and faculty.
“He was sincere,” said Fitzpatrick. “Some kids with tougher edges were softened by what they felt was the sincerity of him.”
Fitzpatrick and Sampson’s family said Tarreece was dedicated to helping young people become well-rounded adults.
“He wanted to be someone who taught the kids, not only instruction, but also life lessons of working hard, and how you treat people,” said Fitzpatrick.
“He would say things such as ‘when you make good choices, good things happen.'”
According to his principal, Sampson looked for and found ways of setting good examples for young people.
“For him, mentoring isn’t just sitting at a table with a kid, it was having lunch with them,” said Fitzpatrick. “He would go outside and shoot baskets with the fourth- and fifth graders during recess, knowing that as you’re doing these things, the (kids’) guard is down.”
Extra counselors were at Fort Hunt Elementary Monday, Fitzpatrick said.
“This is a bright light that was extinguished, way too fast,” he said.
