In 2009, my wife and I were brand new parents, having just adopted two children, 8 and 10 years old. Neither spoke a word of English. For both, an American school was a new experience; in fact, any school was a new experience. It was an incredibly challenging and exciting time for us with so much new – new language, culture, food, everything. So much change takes time, love, and patience.

One of my strongest memories from those early days of our family odyssey was the support we got from the awesome teachers and administrators at the Oak Street School. When there were behavior issues, the school administration was kind and firm with our kids, my wife, and I. Walking each morning down Seaton Lane, our kids were always excited to attend school. I remember being so impressed by PE class, with music pumping through the speakers and all the kids really into their exercise. Our kids needed that upbeat outlet for their energy.

We had incredible support to help them learn how to learn. Sharon Von Schraeder, an ESOL teacher and miracle worker, opened up the world of English for our kids. The After-School Program was huge for our family — Ms. Williams and Mr. Morales made our kids feel special and welcome. There were so many caring adults! Through our kids’ experiences at school and through school sports, we met our closest friends. These lifelong relationships are incredibly meaningful for us now and are the reason we have no plans to leave the City now that our kids have graduated.

This is how we experienced the Falls Church schools building community. Our shared school experience is the connective tissue for many families, neighborhoods, and the City. Every family is unique, and every family has its own story of overcoming difficulty and finding the support it needs. The FCCPS community was and still is at the center of our family story, and we will be forever grateful for it.

About Wyatt Shields: Falls Church City Manager since January 2007, Wyatt served as Acting City Manager since July 2006. As City Manager, he is responsible for the city’s overall administrative and operations activities.

He joined the city in August 2003 as Assistant City Manager. During his tenure, he managed the annual development of the city’s Capital Improvements Program, which led to increased parkland, new playing fields, a new middle school, an expanded elementary school, and other improvements to the city. He also served as the staff lead for a citizen’s Open Space Task Force and principal author of their final report, which included an open space acquisition plan.

A strong advocate for city interests, Wyatt developed the city’s annual Legislation Program and tracked key issues for the City Council on Capitol Hill and in Richmond. Focusing on transportation issues, he helped secure millions in federal and state funds to continue streetscape and eventual city center improvements.

Before joining the City of Falls Church, he served as Town Administrator for 5 years in Scottsville, Virginia. Prior to working in local government, he worked on Capitol Hill on the staff of former U.S. Senator Charles S. Robb and later worked for Dominion Virginia Power in its Office of Government Relations.

Wyatt earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a Master of Public Affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He also completed the Senior Executive Institute leadership development program at the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service in 2005.