Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) is an excellent, award-winning school division in the Commonwealth of Virginia. However, objective student achievement data alone doesn’t tell the whole story of who we are as a division and community. The following anecdote, or story, provides a story and fuller picture of what makes FCCPS special from my unique perspective.
My family moved to Falls Church from Pittsburgh, PA, in 2016. Like many residents, we were drawn to the vibrant, welcoming community with a small-town feel and exceptional schools. My husband Brian and I have two daughters attending Meridian; one is a freshman, and the other is a junior. While we had heard about the quality of the education offered at FCCPS, we did not yet know the impact the human element of what makes Falls Church Special would have on our girls.
I think the strong commitment to each student’s success from every angle sets our district apart. Everyone who supports the students – whether it’s the staff in food services who develop and execute a healthy and delicious meal plan or the volunteers who introduce each athlete by name as they run onto the field – does so with an apparent, genuine desire for our students to become the best version of themselves. No one is just showing up to do their job. Every person who interacts with our students sees the opportunity they have to make an impact and seizes it, like the bus driver who kicked off his route by playing Good Day by Nappy Roots every morning.
Based on my interactions with the teachers and staff in my role as a parent, I knew I wanted to have a deeper connection to our schools, so I decided to run for the school board. I was elected in November 2023. What I’ve witnessed since then illustrates that the passion I described above extends to the administration, which includes people in roles that may not even interact with students daily. The administrative team isn’t “just” CPAs, tech analysts, communication specialists, and curriculum developers who are there to perform a service. They keep students at the heart of their work to ensure that our schools are well-resourced and safe and support the diverse needs of all students. If you doubt what motivates them to work each day, just come to one of the school board meetings and listen to them talk about our students.
Being a part of this school district, both as a parent and now as a school board member, has deepened my appreciation for what makes Falls Church unique. I am honored to contribute to a community where everyone is united to ensure each student’s success.
About Amie Murphy: In addition to serving on the FCCPS School Board, Amie has more than 15 years of experience in civil rights litigation. She shares, “I am a Deputy Chief at the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Housing and Civil Enforcement Section. I lead complex investigations and civil enforcement actions under the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and other federal statutes. I have successfully handled all phases of litigation, including jury trials, securing significant relief for victims of discrimination, and advancing the cause of justice and equality. In addition, I am an instructor and speaker in investigations, interview skills, trial advocacy, and substantive areas of my practice. Previously, I was an Assistant U.S. Attorney, where I built the office’s civil civil rights practice. Before that, I was a Trial Attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section. I enforced civil rights laws in areas such as police misconduct, prison conditions, and juvenile detention. I am passionate about using my skills and expertise to protect and promote the civil rights of all Americans.” Click here to connect with Amie on LinkedIn.