Retiring Assistant Superintendent Savors Great Memories

The view ahead to the start of another school year is likely bringing a lot of mixed emotions, instead of a burst of energy, to Norma Jean Sass.

That’s because Sass, who retired from her position as the assistant superintendent of Elementary Education for Dearborn Public Schools at the end of July, is no longer taking on the huge tasks associated with making sure pre-school through fifth grade students at the state’s fourth-largest public school district get a good education.

The move, Sass admits, is one she thought she would make years down the road.

“I’m an optimist and I believe that the next opportunity will be a good one, but I didn’t plan to retire this early,” she said. “I was one of those people who thought I’d never retire because I love what I do.”

Sass taught in Detroit and Grand Haven after graduating from Michigan State University, where she went on the earn both her bachelor’s and master's degrees in education. Early on, Sass’ focus was on reading–something has that never changed.

“I’m passionate about literacy,” she said. “It was appealing to me from the very beginning.”

In 1987, Sass was able to channel her love of teaching young people how to read at Dearborn Schools, when she was hired as a reading coordinator–a position designed to increase reading comprehension among students.

Sass held the reading coordinator position for several years, but the positions were eventually eliminated because of budget constraints much like the schools are experiencing today, Sass said. 

At that point, Sass was offered the assistant principal position at , and stuck it out with Dearborn for a few more years. "I was really lucky to get that position," she said.

But when a principal’s spot opened at Farmington Schools, Sass applied for and was offered the position, which she held for the next 11 years. Two years ago, the assistant superintendent for elementary education spot in Dearborn opened up, and Sass returned.

She thought she’d work at least another six years before she’d even consider retiring, but when the state offered educators a one-time buyout to thin the teaching ranks, Sass felt she had to accept the offer.

“It was so unexpected,” she said. “We didn’t have any time to think about whether we wanted to retire.”

Dearborn Schools Supt. Brian Whiston said Sass has been an integral part of his cabinet at the district.

“Reading is the key that opens education success to all students, and Norma Jean Sass lead efforts to create a new reading program that provides that key to success for all students,” he said. “Norma Jean will be missed; in two short years she has made many contributions to the Dearborn schools and community.”

Sass said that even though funding issues and other factors have significantly changed the school environment since she began teaching in the 1980s, the one constant has been the students.

“Kids are kids, and they’re eager to learn,” she said. “That’s something that never changes.”