Ex-Olympian named assistant superintendent
BROOKFIELD — The school district announced the hiring of a new assistant superintendent this week, replacing a vacancy left by Maureen Ruby who has served in the position since 2015.
In a press release sent Wednesday afternoon, Superintendent John Barile said a “thorough candidate search” led to the hiring of Anna Mahon as the school district’s new lead for teaching, learning and personnel, replacing Ruby, who announced in February she would take a new position at Sacred Heart University.
Mahon, a former Olympic hammer thrower, previously served as a principal in the Amity Regional School District, where she worked for 22 years after teaching as an English teacher at high schools in Darien and Stamford.
“I have always admired the Brookfield Public School system for the strong sense of community that is created and the forwardthinking vision that has always been exemplified,” Mahon said, according to the press release. “I am thrilled to join Superintendent Barile and the wonderful team of educators and educational leaders to help create our tomorrow for students, families, and the Town of Brookfield.”
A native of Orange, Connecticut, Mahon took the title as the country’s top hammer thrower in 2002 before she qualified for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece with a throw of 227 feet, 1 inch at the games’ trial competition held in Sacramento, Calif.
Mahon went on to place 29th at the Athens summer games with a throw of just over 213 feet.
“Dr. Mahon’s athletic background is unparalleled, and her coaching experience has served her leadership well in her role as Amity’s instructional leader,”
wrote Barile in the press release.
The press release described how Mahon, “stood out” in the application process and generated, “a palpable excitement,” for her
bid to become the district’s next assistant superintendent, a role she will begin on Aug. 1.
Outside of her principal duties in Amity, Mahon has served as chairperson for the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Committee and as a member of the National Merit Scholarship Program advisory board.
A member of the school district’s interview advisory team and parent, Logan Sullender, said, “[Mahon] stood out among multiple strong candidates and there was a palpable excitement that she could be our next Assistant Superintendent. Her leadership style, experience as a teacher, administrator and coach, and genuine focus on students impressed me during our conversations.”
Board of Education Chair Bob Belden stated, “Our district has made great strides with curriculum development and professional learning in the past several years. With the expertise and approachability that Dr. Mahon brings with her, we will advance the district even further.”