To make sure that Claremont has someone to act as a caretaker for its schools, the Claremont Unified District (CUSD) has decided to hire Myrlene Pierre as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. Pierre will be replacing former Assistant Superintendent, Bonnie Bell. After serving 4 1/2 1years within the district, Bell, joined the Lowell Joint School District in the La Habra Heights area about two months ago as its new superintendent.

Pierre grew up in New York City and attended Brooklyn Technical High School, where she received her diploma. After graduating from high school, she went to Hunter College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Education. Pierre went on to matriculate at Queens College, earning an M.S.E. in Early Childhood Education. Pierre has been associated with educational services ever since she first started teaching at a public school in New York 27 years ago. She has also had many other educational experiences, including the New York City Board of Education, Compton Unified School District, Anaheim City School District, and Magnolia School District.

As Pierre’s job as an Assistant Superintendent, she will provide leadership, direction, and coordination to the district’s educational programs, curriculum, instruction, staff development, and technology for all of Claremont. Even though she only has had a couple of weeks of experience and all of this may be overwhelming, Pierre already has her goals set.

“My main goal is to provide effective leadership that will transfer CUSD schools into 21st century learning environments that successfully prepare all students for college and careers,” Pierre said.

Pierre applied to be an assistant superintendent because she wanted to work with the school district community and to make sure that every student is able to reach their full potential. It is important for Pierre to ensure that all students are able to expand their knowledge for better outcomes in the future.

“What I like about the position is the opportunity to have a stronger impact on the decision making that affects student learning,” Pierre said.

Some of Pierre’s goals for the future are to see schools engage and intellectually stimulate all students. She also desires to make an effort to include every student as best as possible and to provide them with a high quality education so they can strive to reach their full potential.

CUSD has welcomed Pierre to the district with open arms and has helped her settle into her new job as assistant superintendent. This job might not be simple, but Pierre’s hopes for the students are high. Even though she has been here for a short while and everyone is still taking time to know her. With her motto, “Education is the cornerstone of democracy and the great equalizer,” Claremont district wishes luck to Pierre and in the following years to come.