Joy Shirley, who serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Supplemental and Support Services, has announced that she will retire at the end of the 2023-24 school year, completing a 29-year career in public education.
“It has been such a pleasure to serve this district for the last 10 years,” said Shirley. “It allowed me to grow as an educator by learning from so many dedicated and passionate individuals. I wish the very best and brightest future for FPS, and I look forward to celebrating your achievements for many years to come!”
“We are very grateful to Joy for her outstanding service to the students and staff of Fayetteville Public Schools,” said superintendent Dr. John Mulford. “Her work here will be remembered for her compassion for students, her attention to detail, and her unfailing support of teachers. She will be missed, but we are very happy for her and wish her well as she begins a new chapter in her life.”
Superintendent Dr. John Mulford has announced that the district will not fill the assistant superintendent role at this time. Rather, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Julie Williams will assume the duties of Ms. Shirley’s office.
Ms. Shirley most recently served as the Interim Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. During her 29-year career as an educator, she has also served as Director of Student Services for FPS, and she has also served as the District Coordinator for Special Education/504. She served as an assistant principal, special education teacher, reading specialist, and 5th grade teacher for the Springdale Public Schools and as an alternative learning environment teacher serving small school districts in Washington County.