CHELYN SHAW
How long have you lived in the Florida Keys, where do you currently live, and what drew you here? I moved to Key Largo in October 2005, nearly 22 years ago, to be close to my family and the beautiful waters of the Florida Keys. The Keys have always felt like home to me. The Shaw family first owned property here back in 1946, so I’m connected to this community. I can’t imagine a better place to call home.
Tell us a little about your family – any kids, relatives, etc. here in the Keys? Faith in God & love for family is the center of my life. I’m the proud mother of three successful adult children and Nana to seven amazing grandchildren. Four of my grandchildren have attended Monroe County schools from Pre-K through graduation — three have already graduated, and one is still in school today. Watching them grow through our school system has given me a personal understanding of both its strengths and the areas where we can do better.
What volunteer/civic organizations, clubs, or other groups are you involved with in Monroe County? I believe a life of service is a life well lived. I’ve taught Sunday School for 30 years and volunteer in many areas of my church. I’m Vice President of the Upper Keys Republican Club and serve as a Committeewoman with the Monroe County Republican Executive Committee. I volunteer with the American Legion Auxiliary, belong to the Moose Lodge, and I’m active in Southernmost Republican Club and Middle Keys Republican Club. Earlier in my life, I spent many years working with the Boy Scouts and I served on the Key Largo Volunteer Fire Department Water Emergency Team many years, where we searched for missing divers, vessels, crime evidence, and assisted with many emergency situations. And when I’m not volunteering, I’m often taking care of my 130-pound “grand-dog”, who definitely keeps me busy!
What do you do for a living, and what does a typical day look like when you’re not campaigning? I’m self-employed as a licensed 200-ton U.S. Coast Guard yacht captain. Right now, I’m selling one business while launching another that focuses on yacht and estate management. Every day is different. I’m constantly answering client calls, coordinating repairs, solving problems, and making sure the yachts under my care are safe, maintained, and ready to go. My evenings and weekends are often filled with church activities, teaching, volunteering with the American Legion Auxiliary, and spending time with family. I attend monthly meetings for the civic organizations I serve.
What made you decide to run for public office, and what drew you to public service? Service to others has been foundational in my life. Whether through my career, my volunteer work, my church, or my family, I’ve always believed in putting others before myself. As I listened to parents, teachers, and taxpayers express their concerns about our schools, I realized something needed to change. I sought God’s guidance, and felt called to step forward. I decided to run because I believe our children deserve the very best education possible, our teachers deserve support and respect, and parents deserve to have a real voice in their children’s education.
What personal or professional accomplishment are you most proud of? Without question, my greatest accomplishment is being a mother and a grandmother. Raising three successful children and watching my grandchildren grow into kind, capable young people has been the greatest blessing of my life. Secondarily, I’m proud to be a lifelong learner and to have established a reputation for integrity and hard work.
Where is your favorite spot in the Keys and why? Anywhere on the water. Whether I’m running a boat, diving beneath the surface, or simply watching the sunrise over the ocean, that’s where I find peace. The water has a way of reminding me what’s truly important. It clears my mind, renews my spirit, and reminds me why I chose to make the Keys my home.
What skills or experiences from your career or past service will help you most in public office? Serving on the School Board is an executive leadership position that requires sound judgment, fiscal responsibility, and the ability to make decisions that impact thousands of children and families. My background has prepared me well for that responsibility. I studied engineering and business administration, spent 12 years with the Texas Department of Transportation working in engineering, project management, conflict resolution, and capital improvements, and have successfully owned and managed multiple businesses. As a yacht captain, I make important decisions every day where safety, planning, and accountability matter. I’m a natural leader who also believes in teamwork. I know how to listen, solve problems, manage budgets, and bring people together to achieve common goals. Those are exactly the skills I will bring to the School Board every day.
SUE WOLTANSKI
How long have you lived in the Florida Keys, where do you currently live, and what drew you here? My husband and I purchased our home in Tavernier in 1999 and became full-time residents in 2008. We chose the Keys to raise our family in a close-knit community where our children could grow up surrounded by nature, great public schools, and extended family.
Tell us a little about your family – any kids, relatives, etc. here in the Keys? My husband, Tom, is a recently retired emergency physician. We have two children, both proud Coral Shores High School graduates. We moved permanently to the Keys so they could grow up next door to their grandmother. Although she has since passed away, we still enjoy a steady stream of snowbirding relatives.
What volunteer/civic organizations, clubs or other groups are you involved with in Monroe County? Community service is important to me. I am a member of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club, the Upper Keys League of Women Voters, Upper Keys Business & Professional Women, several local Chambers of Commerce, and a graduate of Leadership Monroe. I also volunteer on local projects and organize our annual “Hello Summer” hygiene drive for students.
What do you do for a living, and what does a typical day look like when you’re not campaigning? I am a retired pediatrician turned public education advocate, now serving on the Monroe County School Board. My days are spent visiting schools, meeting with parents, teachers, and community members, attending school and civic events, following education policy, and writing my blog, Accountabaloney, to help others understand Florida education policy.
What made you decide to run for public office, and/or what drew you to a career in public service? I never planned to run for office. My journey began as a parent and public education advocate. As I became more involved in education policy and school improvement efforts, I realized I could make an even greater difference by serving on the School Board. I’ve always considered myself a public education advocate first—not a politician—and that continues to guide every decision I make.
What personal or professional accomplishment are you most proud of? Personally, I am most proud of my two children and the creative, thoughtful, and compassionate young adults they have become. Watching them grow into confident adults has been the greatest privilege of my life.
Professionally, I am proud to have played a small part in strengthening Monroe County’s public schools for today’s students and future generations. Knowing that the work we do today will continue creating opportunities for children long after my service ends is the most rewarding accomplishment I could hope for.
Where is your favorite spot in the Keys and why? I love taking a boat out on Florida Bay. I never tire of seeing wild dolphins, the incredible colors of the water, and breathtaking cloud formations. Nest Key is probably my favorite destination, but the journey there is the best part of the adventure.
What skills or experiences from your career or past service do you think will help you most in public office? My medical training taught me to listen carefully, analyze complex information, and make thoughtful, evidence-based decisions. Before serving on the School Board, I spent years as a public education advocate, engaging with policymakers, building coalitions, learning how education policy is shaped and how collaboration builds meaningful results. Those experiences, and the relationships I’ve made, allow me to effectively advocate for Monroe County’s schools, ensure our community’s voice is heard, and deliver results for our students, educators, and taxpayers.
