Her Story
About Robin
Dr. Robin L. Shrum, Ed.D, SHRM-CP, is a dedicated educational leader with over 31 years of experience in K–12 education. She began her career as a music teacher before advancing to building-level administration, ultimately serving as principal at the elementary level at schools with 700 to 1200 students. Known for her student-centered leadership, Dr. Shrum prioritizes decisions grounded in what is best for children while fostering an environment where teachers and staff can thrive. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, listening, and openness to ideas, ensuring that her team feels supported and empowered. Throughout her career, Dr. Shrum has balanced rigorous professional responsibilities with continued academic growth. She earned her Doctorate in Education from Shenandoah University while serving as a principal—a significant accomplishment given the demanding nature of school leadership. In addition, she recently earned her SHRM-CP certification, reflecting her growing interest in human resources within education, particularly in new teacher retention and supports, staff development, coaching, and performance evaluation. Her commitment to professional excellence has made her a sought-after mentor and leader, attracting educators who aspire to grow under her guidance. Beyond her administrative work, Dr. Shrum actively engages in community and professional initiatives. She serves on the VATLL Conference Committee, the WELV Executive Board, and donates her time to local volunteer activities. She has been recognized as Northern Virginia Daily Principal of the Year (2022), as FCPS' Assistant Principal of the Year for 2025-2026, and as an Influential Woman for 2026. Dr. Shrum’s leadership is guided by her core value that “clear is kind,” ensuring honesty, empathy, and integrity in all her interactions while maintaining a steadfast focus on student success.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Robin
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a love for what I do, a love for people, and a relentless work ethic and commitment to completing tasks thoroughly and well. I strongly believe in listening to others, valuing team input, and remaining open to ideas beyond my own. Leadership is not about having all the answers, but about leveraging the strengths of your team.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received was to have passion for your job while ensuring you take care of yourself. Work-life balance can be challenging in education, but making time for family, hobbies, and personal interests is essential to sustaining long-term success.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be willing to do the work and dedicate the necessary time. Education is vital because it prepares the next generation of professionals—doctors, lawyers, teachers, and beyond. Always stay connected to your “why,” your core motivation, because it will guide you through the hardest days.
Recognize that there will be days that you must look for the good. It is there!! Making a difference in the lives of children is hard work, but it is also important work!
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the most pressing challenges in education today is teacher recruitment and retention, as fewer individuals are entering—and remaining in—the profession. This issue became a professional passion during my master’s program and ultimately the focus of my dissertation. An emerging area of growth for me is the integration of human resources practices within education, particularly in supporting new teachers, strengthening staff development, and enhancing coaching and evaluation systems. This interest led me to pursue my SHRM certification.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I am guided by two core values: people first and clear is kind. I strive to honor the humanity of every individual and make decisions rooted in what best serves the people in the organization, both big and small. Clear is kind, a principle shared by Brené Brown, shapes how I communicate—prioritizing honesty and clarity while maintaining empathy and respect.
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