By Stephen Twentyman, Rabita Aziz, and Omar Tanamly (February 21, 2004)

"I never planned on it," Superintendent Mary Ellen Shaw explained to the Lasso Online staff when asked about her 34-year career in Falls Church City Schools that seemed to lead from one promotion and position to another. Shaw recently announced that she would retire upon the completion of her contract at the end of the current fiscal school year, June 30. Her reasons for doing so vary, but primarily she felt that the time was right: that, by handing over the reins before the new middle school construction begins in earnest, her successor will have sufficient time to become acquainted with the position, the school system, and the situation. 

To some, her decision to retire came as a surprise, especially since it is a crucial time for the Falls Church City Schools, with the building of the new middle school. Although she will be leaving the position of superintendent, she has offered to assist with the middle school construction project if the new superintendent would find this helpful.  Shaw first came to the school system in 1970 as a first grade teacher at Mt. Daniel Elementary School. She had a reputation as a decision-maker and leader, so when the assistant principal left, she was chosen to be the replacement. She then went on to be principal of Mt. Daniel, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, and finally became Superintendent of Schools in 1997. She had never planned on working her way up to becoming superintendent, actually intending on several occasions to leave her teaching job and return to graduate school for her doctorate. Every time she thought about this however, she was offered an opportunity she "could not refuse." Although she named her failure to go back to school as her biggest regret, Shaw would not say for certain if she would finally pursue it in retirement: "If I want to, I will, and if I don’t want to, I won’t."

“The job (of superintendent) is never done. Once you  think you’ve finished something, something else  always pops up,” said Ms. Mary Ellen Shaw who  recently announced her retirement come June 30.  (Photo by Camille Christophel)

"I wanted some more free time to pursue interests that I haven’t had much time for as superintendent," Shaw commented. She went on to explain that her career required her to work about 60 hours a week. "The job is never finished; once you think you finished something, something else always pops up," Shaw commented. 

Some of the interests she plans to pursue after June 30 include reading, taking classes, traveling, and studying a foreign language. One thing she especially looks forward to doing is visiting with her family and friends, especially her parents, and a long-time friend in Japan.
 

The recent death in October of Shaw’s long-time friend and respected member of the Falls Church educational community Dr. Nancy Sprague also played a role in Shaw’s decision. "We don’t know how much time we have," she said. Sprague’s death prompted Shaw to look within herself, and she decided to leave her career to do those things that she never had time to do as superintendent.  When asked about her favorite achievements, she listed easing away from sectional neighborhood schools as one and helping to establish good benefits for staff. She also named making writing a more crucial part of English classes in the City’s schools and the establishment of Mt. Daniel as a K-1 school. When asked what she will not miss when she retires, the first thing she said was getting up at four o’clock in the morning during inclement weather to make a decision for the upcoming school day. "For the first time in seven years, I will finally be able to enjoy a snowfall and think isn’t that beautiful," Shaw said. Another very stressful part of the job for Shaw was thinking about student and staff safety during the time after September 11th and the October sniper attacks.

“I want some more free time to pursue interests  that I haven’t had much time for as superintendent,” Ms. Mary Ellen Shaw told the Lasso Online staff.  (Photo by Camille Christophel)

A committee has been formed to select Shaw’s replacement, who, it is hoped, will be chosen by April. The School Board is currently making arrangements for a consultant to meet with staff and community members to discuss desired criteria for the new superintendent. The consultant will then give the board the compiled list of ideas by the end of February, and will approach the school board by the end of February. The School Board has taken out advertisements in trade papers such as Education Weekly, a weekly education-based magazine. Shaw is confident that the city remains a top target for educators: "People feel this is a very special place, and it should be attractive to candidates."