Retiring Assistant Superintendent Mike Mullen’s last board meeting

Today is a bittersweet day as we bid farewell to a dear colleague and friend, Mr. Michael Mullen. As many of you may know, this is Mr. Mullen’s last meeting as the Citrus County School Assistant Superintendent before he embarks on a well-deserved retirement.

Before joining the Citrus County School Board, as some of you may know, Mr. Mullen had a distinguished career in the Army as a Captain. He completed his basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and went on to become a platoon leader and an Executive Officer to the Major at Fort Ord, California. His military experience undoubtedly prepared him for the challenges he faced as an educator.

Mr. Mullen’s dedication to education is evident in his work here in Citrus County. He and his brother John developed some of the most innovative classrooms in the early ’90s, going from “shop” class to mini engineering programs. He served as a school administrator and became the principal at CHS. As the Executive Director, Mr. Mullen always stood for the betterment of students, staff, and schools.

Personally, Mr. Mullen has taught me so much over the years, and I will always be grateful for our collaborative conversations. Although sometimes spirited, I always knew that it was about the students, staff, and schools. He is a true student advocate, and his actions speak volumes.

Mr. Mullen is going to hate this, but I have some images to share during the time that we have worked together. [play video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/E5ZfSqUz4jMLmoXFA]

Mr. Mullen’s selflessness and dedication to others are always evident. Mr. Mullen is a dedicated runner with his family, and he can be found at our CCEF marathons running with our elementary school teams. It is common for Mr. Mullen to finish the race with a couple of kids on either side of him, only to see him cross the finish line and then immediately turn around and go back to find more students to encourage and help them finish the race.

Mr. Mullen is also an advocate for students who might learn differently. He quietly (and not so quietly) is an advocate of our ESE and learning-challenged students. He is also a huge supporter of Career and Technical/Workforce Education (CTE) students and programs. His passion for hands-on learning comes from his command of young people in the Army and as a CTE teacher. His passion helped play a role in Robert Tester, who was one of Mr. Mullen’s “shop class” students and is now our new teacher at the Citrus High School Construction Academy. Interestingly, Mr. Tester also went into the Army and rose to the rank of Captain.

Mr. Mullen, you have been my teacher, a mentor, a fellow swim dad, and a true friend. I will miss you so much, and I will miss our early morning (very early) talks. Your contributions to the Citrus County School Board and the education community are immeasurable, and we are grateful for everything you have done for us. We wish you all the best in your retirement and hope that you will continue to inspire us with your kindness, dedication, and passion for education. If you get bored, please come back!

Thank you, Mr. Mullen, and congratulations on your retirement!

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