Bruce Brady Retires with 40 Years of Service to Academic Excellence

Bruce W. Brady will be retiring from Norfolk Public Schools on June 30, 2026, after nearly 40 years of service. Brady holds the position of Executive Director in Curriculum & Instruction. However, his start in this division 40 years ago started more than 400 hundred miles away in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in 1986, and seeking employment after graduation is where his story at Norfolk Public Schools begins.

Question: How did you end up working in education and specifically, Norfolk Public Schools?
Brady: I loved history growing up and always knew I wanted to be a teacher. While attending a job fair at my college in Pennsylvania, I interviewed with Norfolk Public Schools. Although I was unable to find a teaching position right away, NPS called that September (1986) with a sudden opening and asked if I was still looking for a job. I jumped in the car and moved to Norfolk, and I have never considered working anywhere else!

Question: Tell me about what you did in your role and why you stayed at NPS for so long?
Brady: I have had multiple roles with NPS. I worked as a history teacher at Norview HS for 19 years where I also served as the department chair. I have worked in Curriculum & Instruction for the past 21 years serving as the Advanced Placement Teacher Specialist, Senior Coordinator of History/Social Science, and finally as Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction.

Question: Why do you think your role/department is critical to NPS?
Brady: Curriculum & Instruction consists of 14 content offices, all with the responsibility of developing curriculum, pacing, assessments, textbook and program selection, and most importantly, supporting teachers by assisting with planning, data analysis, lesson feedback, team-teaching, modeling, anything to support teachers with effective classroom instruction.

Question: What did you enjoy most about your role?
Brady: My biggest joy has been the opportunity to work alongside the most amazing, passionate, dedicated, coordinators, specialists, and staff in Curriculum & Instruction. Our classroom teachers are amazing for the effort they give every day to our students and their families. NPS has the best people!

Question: What will you miss the most in your role?
Brady: I will miss terribly my wonderful colleagues in C&I and those that I have had the honor to work alongside of in the central office.

Question: What advice would you give to someone in your role and in general at NPS?
Brady: Work hard and give 100% effort every day! The students and staff deserve it and it is very rewarding.

As Brady closes this 40-year chapter of his life, Norfolk Public Schools would like to thank him for his unwavering decades of service. He has had the pleasure of initially teaching students as well as uniquely working alongside them as colleagues during his tenure.

Norfolk Public Schools is grateful to Bruce Brady in his multiple roles and wish him all the best.