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VISION

August 2023	CUSD Today	Page 5

Meet our new Superintendent Corrine Folmer, Ed.D.

Editor’s Note: Clovis Unified’s Governing Board appointed Corrine Folmer, Ed.D., an educator and administrator with CUSD for 23 years, to the position of Superintendent starting this school year. Here, Dr. Folmer an-swers our questions about her background, interests and goals.
Tell us about your family and who lives at your home?
I’m married, have two daughters and a full farm of animals, including horses, goats, dogs and a single cat.
Where did you go to school?
I earned my doctorate degree, master’s de-gree and bachelor’s degree at California State University, Fresno. I attended Clovis Unified schools from kindergarten through 12th grade: Jefferson Elementary (kindergarten); Weldon Elementary (Grades 1-6); Clark Intermediate (Grade 7); Alta Sierra Intermediate (Grade 8; due to a boundary change); and Buchanan High (Grades 9-12).
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Bryan, Texas, and lived in Texas, until about the age of 5. We then moved back to Clovis where I completed all of my K-12 education. I loved my educational experi-ence in Clovis Unified. I had teachers and school staff who were always caring and be-lieved in me.
What did you enjoy about Clovis Uni-fied as a student?
I was blessed in my education to have been surrounded with phenomenal teachers! I learned so much from each one of them as they helped develop me academically and as a person. It was clear that they brought their very best to the classroom every day, not just for me, but all of my classmates. There were several of my teachers that I spent a lot of time with who were not only my teachers, but my coaches. I will forever be in debt to them for the belief, guidance and care they showed to me.
What was your very first job, and what led you to a career in education?
My first oficial job was working at Big 5 on Kings Canyon Boulevard in the shoe de-partment. I eventually was drawn to a career in education after coaching soccer and work-ing as an Instructional Assistant in Special Ed-ucation. I truly loved the opportunity to work with students and support them in their learn-ing. There was no greater joy for me than watching the students I was working with grow.
You moved your way up from teacher to various administrative roles and now

superintendent. Which position has brought you the most joy?
I have loved every position I have had the privilege in which to serve. In each step of my professional journey, I had the great fortune to work with passionate and hard-working col-leagues who put what was best for their stu-dents at the center of their work. They truly inspired me. However, if I had to pick one po-sition that brought me the most joy, it would have to be when I was teaching. It is the great-est responsibility and honor to get to teach students, and I loved every moment of my time in the classroom. I have often found op-portunities while in other positions to borrow someone’s classroom to get my “teaching” fix. What do you want to accomplish in
your first year as superintendent?
I look forward to connecting with all of our employees who give their best every day

for our kids. It takes every one of us to meet the needs of our students, and ensuring we continue to surround our students with the best educational team possible is my highest priority. We will continue to build on the work of our team around student achievement and work as a district to prepare for our continued growth.
What are some of your long-term goals for Clovis Unified?
As a district, we will work to prepare and navigate the continued growth of the district and our community while ensuring that there are systems, leadership and trust in place at every level of the organization. This will ensure that our students continue to receive the high quality, all-around educational experience that our district is known for and on which our community relies.
How do you hope to be known as su-

Just for Fun

How do you like to relax? I love to run and hike. I love to be outdoors.
What’s your favorite dinner? There’s a local

Ed D.
Corrine . Folmer,	has an incredible eggplant appe-
tizer that I love to have for dinner. Are you a dog or a cat per-
son? A dog person
What’s your go-to coffee order? Vanilla almond milk latte (hot or iced!)
What do you listen to in the car? Country music is what I grew up listening to and I still en-joy it today.
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Mint Chocolate Chip
What’s something people may be surprised to learn about you? I grew up around horses and can ride and rope!

perintendent?
I hope to be known as a Superintendent who continued to build on the incredible foun-dation of Clovis Unified. I hope that my work will reflect my genuine care for and passion to serve our students, staff and community to help us be the best we can be.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Enjoy every moment and take advantage of every opportunity you have. Sometimes, you will be surprised by what you learn about yourself in the course of doing just that.
What is a favorite quote or saying that inspires you?
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James
In three words, how would you de-scribe yourself?
Driven. Passionate. Approachable.