From helping to organize the principals’ time and writing the weekly Hitching Post, Ms. Cecily Shea has one of the most important jobs in the building. The administrative assistant to Ms. Hardy and Mr. Serensits. Ms. Shea organizes projects, keeps the principals’ calendars, and updates the school status.

Ms. Shea describes herself as a family-oriented person and owes her current position as administrative assistant to this mindset. When she and her family moved to Falls Church for her husband’s new job in 2001, they enrolled their children into the Falls Church City school system. She wanted to get involved with her two daughters’ educations, so she joined the PTA board as well as the Falls Church Education Foundation Board. Eventually, a new position opened up in the school office, and Ms. Shea immediately took the opportunity. 

“The girls were grown, and the position for an administrative assistant to the principal opened up, and I was like, ‘I want to do that!’” Ms. Shea explained to us. She has always had a love for kids and helping others so she knew the position was perfect for her.

Growing up, Ms. Shea moved around a lot due to her father’s job. She lived in a number of different places including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Arizona. She is the second oldest of four children, all of whom are very close even now. “Even though they live in Arizona we like to keep in touch often on our family group chat,” Ms. Shea said.

Despite being far from her Arizona family, Ms. Shea loves Virginia and is happy she has been able to stay family oriented while living in Falls Church. 

Ms. Shea explained that she especially loves her job here because she gets the opportunity to work with people to have an impact on the schools. “It’s fun to work with all the kids and adults and to be able to make a difference,” she said. 

Besides making an impact on school life, she likes the unpredictability of her job and explained that she finds enjoyment in the new challenges that arise each day.  “Every day is so different!” she exclaimed. 

Ms. Shea truly loves working with both the school staff and students, and she is always working diligently to make a difference in our schools as well as maintain an organized school environment. Next time you walk by the front office, be sure to thank Ms. Shea for her behind-the-front-desk and behind-the-scenes work.