Anyone who knows the slightest thing about me knows that when this assignment hit my inbox, I was less than enthused.  It was high school all over again. I spent my whole school career doing just enough to get by. So this guy (Falls Church City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan) expects me to write 1200 words about my feelings about something?! Does this guy know me at all?

The last book report I did was as a senior in high school on a book found on the shelves of Mt Daniel’s library. So, as I stared out my office window, thinking, “How do I get out of this?” Then it dawned on me. Let me look at the email list and see who and how many folks are in this; I can skip it unnoticed.

As a couple of weeks passed, it seemed my plan would not fail me. The participants were full of folks who probably had theirs written up before I even read this email he had sent. Then, in comes a reminder email. And then, there was a reminder about when we passed in the hall. I wondered, Why does this guy care so much about what I would say? My intentions still had not wavered, and I was ready to skip this. He announced his retirement, so I won’t have to face him much longer to deal with the guilt.  It was at that moment I realized what was special here at FCCPS.

My story is one well entrenched in FCCPS. My wife and children all grew up and attended our schools. I was like any other Dad. I thought I was the greatest thing going, so I coached my children in all their rec basketball years. I was approached by an opposing coach one evening who asked me to coach softball with him at the High School. Little did I know that would be life-changing. A job opening became available a couple of years into my coaching, and I figured I would toss my name in. I was awarded the position and quickly went to work. A few months in I applied for the supervisor position and here I was.

Now, let’s get to the point of this essay regarding what is special about FCCPS through my lens.

My entire life has been turning wrenches, and my education on paper ended with my graduating high school. But my education in life is ongoing.  My father once told me. “Son, always work harder than the person standing next to you, and you will always be noticed and have a place.”  He lived by those words through his actions every day. So, again, you’re saying to yourself a great story, but what’s special about FCCPS? I’ll sum that up in the final paragraph.

The ‘special sauce” has been Dr. Noonan himself.

His leadership is for all. No matter how much folks try to break him, he still listens to their voice and is compassionate to them even when the same isn’t reciprocated to him. No other person has worked hard to improve everyone else’s life through opportunities, raises, and benefits. Peter Noonan has been special for all of us here at FCCPS. I would love someone to try and debate me if they feel otherwise.  My story didn’t end with the Maintenance supervisor.

When the Director of Facilities position opened up, all my past success within FCCPS gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and apply.  My expectations were low, but I gave it a go, and here we are. The opportunity was given to me by Dr. Noonan. The position was definitely outside of normal from what I have been in my entire life, but he saw the potential and believed in me like he believes in all of us every day.  His leadership is transparent and unwavering.  But what is most special? The fact that a man who took a chance on me inspired a guy like me enough to sit down and type out the longest paper of my life.

It doesn’t get more special than that.