One thing is certain about Ann Monday’s feelings on her new job as Fairfax City Schools superintendent: she knows she will make a difference in the lives of children.
That difference is why Monday said she works in education. She hasn’t held a job in the last 35 years that she’s not proud of, she said.
"Even on my worst days, I never thought my work lacked meaning," said Monday.
George Stepp, the city’s current superintendent, is retiring after 11 years on the job. The School Board appointed Monday earlier this month, and she officially begins July 1.
Monday comes from an established career in education, said Janice Miller, chairman of the city’s School Board. She’s been a teacher, an assistant principal and a principal, and she’s currently finishing her tenure as the assistant superintendent for instructional services with Fairfax County Public Schools.
"We were looking for someone who could work with and mentor our principals and continue to improve the instructional programs in our schools," said Miller. "She’s had all this incredible hands-on experience."
The city is not lacking in the area of instructional services, said Miller, but it is always an area that could use more attention. Stepp helped update and build state-of-the-art facilities for city schools, said Monday, so she plans to implement a system that would honor the buildings and keep them as pristine as possible.
"Mr. Stepp has done a phenomenal job," said City Councilmember Jeff Greenfield. "He led the city through the most ambitious renovation program I think we’ve done in the city’s history."
Improving the instructional services department is also a natural follow-up to such extensive renovations, said Miller. While Miller said schools should constantly work on improving instructional services, doing so after improving the technology and facilities is especially important.
"We have to take advantage of everything that’s offered [at the schools]," said Miller.
MONDAY, A CITY RESIDENT, has worked for county schools for the last 35 years. As a former assistant principal at Fairfax High School, and the parent of a graduate, Monday can’t wait to work in the city she has called home for so long.
"It’s a wonderful opportunity," she said. "I feel good about being able to combine service with my own home community."
And the city is happy to have her. City Councilmembers Jeff Greenfield and Scott Silverthorne, both Fairfax High School graduates, are happy the city has hired a local.
"I love the fact that she’s one of our own," said Silverthorne.
The first thing Monday has planned is grasping the details of the city’s contract with Fairfax County Public Schools. She said it’s a wonderful relationship, but it’s going to be her job to "shepherd that contract," so she wants to learn it inside and out.
"It’s a matter of working with all the different people you need to work with to make sure the city buildings get the most out of that contract," said Miller. "She’s going to do a fantastic job."
Monday said she also has a deep interest in early childhood education, and wants to make sure the city is doing everything possible to make sure its children are ready for school when the time comes. She sees "lots of strengths" in the city school system, and said she’s stepping into the position in a very "positive time."
Monday calls herself a "good communicator" — a trait she said is a key to her success as superintendent. She plans to use her communication skills to not only facilitate the relationship between the city and the county, but also between the city schools’ principals.
"A principal is so important in what they bring to a school," said Monday, adding that she can related after her work as principal at Robinson Secondary School.
Miller said she has no doubt Monday will be "an exceptional employee."