EDUCATION

Claremont COURIER/Friday, January 30, 2015

New administrator brings life experience, passion to CUSD

yrlene Pierre has only been on

the job for a little more than
two weeks. Still, members of
the Claremont Unified School District
community can rest easy knowing the
new assistant superintendent of educational services is dedicated to helping provide a top-notch education to every
student.
Ms. Pierre brings a unique perspective to the district
because, as a child, she represented two very different
demographics, that of the high-risk student and of the
high-achieving one. Born in Jacmel, Haiti, she immigrated to the United States as a kindergartner. She was
one of four kids who landed with their mother at JFK
airport. One more child was born in the United States.
Ms. Pierre, whose native language is Haitian Creole,
spoke no English when she arrived. Finances were
tight before they were able to establish themselves in
their new country, with the family doubled up for a
time at a relatives home. As a result, she can identify
with the obstacles faced by CUSDs English language
learners, as well as with those kids who are socio-economically disadvantaged.
The American public school system actually works.
It is the great equalizer. The system worked for me,
she said. My job is to provide support for teachers and
administrators so that it works for other studentsfor
every child of poverty, for every child who doesnt
speak English.
Statistics show that economic factors can make a big
difference with school, according to Ms. Pierre.
When a childs family is in survival mode, life can
be a little more challenging than for another kid across
town whose family is going on trips to Europe, she
said. Youre not always comparing apples to apples.
At the same time, she understands the needs of kids
who have a natural aptitude for school because, against
any odds, Ms. Pierre excelled in her studies from the
start.
By third grade, she was reading and writing English
at a sixth grade level and made it to the district level in
a school spelling bee.
She did so well in middle school that, as she pre-

Workshop to train
volunteers to help children during disasters

hildrens Disaster Services will be

hosting a volunteer workshop on
February 21 and 22 at La Verne
Church of the Brethren. In cooperation
with the American Red Cross, CDS staff
will train volunteers on how to better understand and work with children who
have experienced disaster.
CDS is the only childcare disaster service in the
nation that the Red Cross relies on, and instructors
for the workshop will be provided by both parties,
coming from as far as Indiana.
The workshop will consist of reenactments, presentations and other activities shaped through experience. Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to
register.
Pre-registration closes Sunday, February 1 at $45;
registration later than that cost $55. For information,
visit childrensdisasterservices.org or call Kathy Benson at (909) 837-7103.

COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff

Career educator Myrlene Pierre has been named the new assistant superintendent of educational services at
Claremont Unified School District. A native of Haiti, Ms. Pierre was an English learner when she entered the
United States in 1970. She credits her success in part to her early education in New York, where she never felt
like she could not reach her full potential.

pared to graduate, her Italian teacher suggested she matriculate to one of three elite local magnet schools. As a
result, she believes especially gifted or driven students
should be nudged towards their potential.
Over the years, each of Ms. Pierres teachers were so
caring and influential, she wanted to be involved in education as a career.
Ms. Pierre got a bachelors degree at Hunter College
in New York, double-majoring in sociology and education, and then went on to earn a masters degree at
Queens College in early childhood development. She
pondered opening her own school, which would cater
to preschool through sixth grade students. After moving to southern California, however, she decided on a
more traditional path.
She taught kindergarten for a year with the Compton
Unified School District and then spent 17 years as a
teacher and administrator with the Anaheim City
School District (ACSD). During her tenure with
ACSD, she met CUSD Superintendent Jim Elsasser
whobefore agreeing to helm Claremont schools in
2013was serving as assistant superintendent of
human resources.
Ms. Pierre is delighted to work with Mr. Elsasser
again.
Everything about him impressed me, she said. I
love his philosophy, having a goal toward excellence
but also keeping in mind the human aspect.
When Ms. Pierre was ready to move on to a new position, she opted to apply for CUSD for a number of
reasons. She liked the fact that the district is relatively
free of tumult and the stakeholders work cooperatively.
Its not that shes unwilling to address conflict and
tough issues, Ms. Pierre said. However, feels she can
make more of a difference in a district that has a positive working environment.
Ms. Pierre is very impressed with those in the district, including her predecessor Bonnie Bell, who have
worked to ensure teachers are trained in the Common
Core and that students are acquainted with the structure

and format of the upcoming tests.

Everyone is very efficient in this district. Theres a
precision and a science to what theyre doing, she
said.
Numbers gleaned from last years Common Core
field testing show the shift will take getting used to,
posing difficulties for all kids. Nevertheless, Ms. Pierre
is confident that her new district has done its due diligence in preparing students for Common Core assessment, which CUSD students in grades three through
eight, as well as juniors, will take starting in May. I
expect they will do very well, she said.
Another highlight of working with CUSD is the dedication of its school board.
They take their job very seriously. They pay attention to details, she said. They dont just gloss over
documents. They read them and ask questions. Its one
reason Claremont is doing so well, outperforming
other districts.
Its not all work for this lifelong proponent of quality
education. Ms. Pierre has been married to her husband,
Sandler, who is also of Haitian descent, for over 21
years. Together, they have raised her stepson Makandal
and two daughters, Brittany, 18, and Courtney, 15.
When it comes to unwinding, Ms. Pierre enjoys
cooking Haitian food, which she says is similar to
Cuban and Puerto Rican cuisine, and reading. She is an
admitted bookworm, whose tastes run from escapist
fictionfrom John Grisham thrillers to Danielle Steele
romancesto books on educational trends and philosophy.
And when it comes to the workplace, Ms. Pierre is
happy that she didnt take the advice of several family
members who told her she should pursue a more lucrative field.
Teaching and educational administration are very
noble professions, she said. I want to make sure Im
supporting the next generation.
Sarah Torribio
storribio@claremont-courier.com