Shaw taught at Rich Township High School in Park Forest, Illinois.
He then taught at Illinois State University and did administrative work.
He is the author of more than 40 articles dealing with higher education and leadership.
[2][3] He retired from the position at the end of the 2003–2004 school year and was replaced by Nancy Cantor.
[4] Shaw was inducted as a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and awarded the Order of Lincoln (the State's highest honor) by the Governor of Illinois in 2008 in the area of Education.