My name is Shawn McNulty. I’m currently the superintendent for the Mukwonago Area School District. I have worked in public schools for 34 years and the last the 29 years in Mukwonago. I have served as a history teacher, head wrestling coach, associated principal, principal and superintendent. I’ve tired to help the community by serving as library board president, on the YMCA Board of Directors, and am a member of the Rotary Club.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My wife Holly is a registered nurse at Froedtert. We have been married 26 years. Our daughter Claire is a senior at DePaul University in Chicago majoring in Spanish and Political Science with plans to go to law school next fall. Our son Joe is a junior at MHS who loves to run and is on the cross country and track teams. We have lived in the Village of Mukwonago for about 20 years.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Superintendent of the Mukwonago Area School District which keeps me extremely busy. We have 8 schools with over 5000 students and 700 staff in the district. The best part of my job during COVID is going to student activities.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Fork in the Road, David Allen Allens and Culvers of course.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have worked in the community for 29 years and lived here for 20.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
In my job I meet so many wonderful and interesting people. I’ll give you two that I admire greatly and have served as my mentors Paul Strobel and Dale Henry, both who served our school districts as superintendent (Paul) and high school principal (Dale) for over 30 years.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Our favorite place to vacation when it’s cold is St John in the US Virgins. The beaches and water are so wonderful there. When it’s not winter here, I enjoy any history-related place.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I don’t watch much tv but if I do, it’s usually the Milwaukee Brewers.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Take your job seriously, don’t take yourself so seriously.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Travel to Ireland and visit all MLB Parks. I think we have 10 or so done. Long way to go.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
That is a tough one, if I’m listening to anything, it’s usually an audible book or podcast. Bruce Springsteen probably would be a go to.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Every time I go into Pick N Save I think about the McAdams family and all that they have done for our community
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I have really appreciated former Governor Tommy Thompson’s efforts to get the UW system schools face-to-face and keep the students safe. He has done a great job and so I would like to meet him for lunch at the Fork.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
For obvious reasons, I think our high school renovation has allowed that facility to become the center of our community. So the schools are my favorite. I enjoy kayaking on the Fox River. I wish we had more bike trails in Muk.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Well I’m much closer to the end of my career then the beginning so I will be retired and with their permission, Holly and I will be living near our children 🙂
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
The last couple of years I have started a vegetable garden and I really enjoy it. I would buy a hobby farm if Holly would let me. She will not 🙂
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Anguila in the Caribbean was great as was Kuwaii in Hawaii,
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Favorite month is July but my favorite holiday is Christmas.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The Mukwonago Area School District students and staff!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Definitely my children as I have seen them work so hard at various different activities.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Believe it or not, I have no sense of smell (not COVID-related). I was born without a sense of smell. Makes changing diapers and cleaning up after the dog in the yard easier.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Mukwonago is a great place to raise a family. It has become our home.
