Norwalk officials have unanimously approved naming the newly opened South Norwalk Elementary School in honor of Dr. Ruby May Foster Shaw, a pioneering educator, administrator, and civic leader whose life’s work helped reshape public education in Norwalk with a steadfast focus on equity, opportunity, and belief in every child’s potential.
The decision ensures that future generations of students will walk through the doors of a school named after someone who dedicated decades to making those doors wider and more welcoming. It is especially meaningful for Carver, which is proud to operate its After the Bell before- and after-school program at the school, extending Dr. Shaw’s legacy of holistic support for children and families beyond the classroom day.
A life shaped by learning and service
Born on May 30, 1925, in Queens, New York, Ruby May Foster was raised in an Afro-Caribbean–Latin household by immigrant parents from Panama and Costa Rica. A gifted student, she was among the first Black students inducted into the Arista honor society at Jamaica High School. Her academic path took her to Queens College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and sociology in 1945, followed by a master’s degree in social work from Columbia University in 1947.
Committed to lifelong learning, she later completed a certificate in administration at Fairfield University and, while working full time, earned a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Bridgeport in 1985—becoming, proudly and definitively, Dr. Shaw.
Transforming Norwalk’s schools
Dr. Shaw joined Norwalk Public Schools in 1962 as a school social worker. In 1976, she was appointed assistant superintendent for human relations and alternative education, a role she held for a decade. During this period, she helped create Norwalk’s first magnet school. She was instrumental in transforming Columbus Elementary into Columbus Magnet School in 1980—an effort that addressed segregation concerns while expanding parent choice and educational quality.
After her district service, she continued to shape future educators as an adjunct professor at Norwalk Community College, where she taught early childhood education and emphasized meeting young learners where they are.
“Never write off any student”
Dr. Shaw’s philosophy was simple and profound: “Never write off any student. Everyone has a contribution to make.” That belief guided her leadership and the programs she designed or led after retirement, including ACE, CLASS, GAIN, and PACT, each focused on strengthening academic achievement and family engagement. She also played a central role in Norwalk’s I Have a Dream program, founded in 1999, which supported minority students’ aspirations to pursue education beyond high school.
A civic leader beyond the classroom
Dr. Shaw’s influence extended throughout Norwalk’s civic life. She served on boards including Norwalk Hospital, the Maritime Aquarium, the United Way of Norwalk & Wilton, the Human Services Council, Horizons at Greens Farms Academy, and several scholarship committees. In 1957, she and her family moved to Village Creek, a deliberately integrated Norwalk community that reflected her deep commitment to inclusion and shared civic responsibility.
Her contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including the Commission on the Status of Women’s “Celebrate Women!” recognition, a Connecticut Post “Woman of Substance” profile, and the Volunteer Spirit Award from the Voluntary Action Center of Mid-Fairfield.
A living legacy
Dr. Shaw passed away peacefully at home in Norwalk on May 31, 2019, at age 94. Her legacy lives on through her family—and through the countless students, educators, and community members shaped by her vision.
By naming the school Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School, Norwalk has made a powerful statement about the values it chooses to elevate: equity, inclusion, and belief in every child. For Carver and our After the Bell students and families, it is an honor to be part of a school community that carries forward the spirit and standards of an educator who truly believed that education can change lives—and cities—for the better.