NEWS                                                               Walnut Valley Unified School District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        880 S. Lemon Avenue

July 27, 2011                                                  Walnut, CA 91789

Contact: 

Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources

(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204

“Both Nancy and Linda have been integral to the many successes we have enjoyed in Walnut Valley,” said Superintendent Dr. Dean Conklin. 

“While the expertise they brought to the table was very important, their real gift was in the leadership qualities and values that have helped to create our culture,” he said.

With the retirement of Dr. Hogg and Dr. Hansen, Jackie Brown and Robert Chang have been brought to the District Office.

On June 8, the Board of Trustees approved the selection of Castle Rock Elementary School Principal Mrs. Jackie Brown as the new Director of Educational Services.

Jackie brings 30 years experience in education to her new position, including serving as Castle Rock’s leader since 2007. Prior to that she served for five years as principal at Vine Elementary School in the West Covina Unified School District.  Jackie is also former WVUSD guidance specialist, Title 1 coordinator, interim principal, summer school principal and classroom teacher.

Collegewood Elementary School Principal Mr. Robert Chang has been named Director of Human Resources. This position has been vacant since May 2010 when Dr. Kathy Granger was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.

Robert brings 15 years of experience in education to his new post. He began at Collegewood in 2007. Prior to that, he served for two years as principal at Lassalette K-8 School in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District.  He has also been a vice principal, technology resource teacher and classroom teacher in the same district. 

In June, South Pointe Middle School Principal Scott Martinez accepted a position as principal at El Roble Intermediate School in the Claremont Unified School District.  C.J. Morris Elementary Principal Mrs. Susan Arzola has been selected as the new school leader.  She brings 23 years of experience in education to her new position.  She served as principal for the past 10 years. Prior to that she was an Early Learning Specialist and Teacher. 

At a Special Board Meeting held on July 26, the Board of Trustees voted to approve Superintendent Dr. Dean Conklin’s recommendation to hire three candidates to fill vacancies for the 2011-12 school year.

Veteran educator Mrs. Carol Sullivan brings over 35 years of experience as she returns to Walnut Valley in her new position at Castle Rock Elementary.  For the past six years, Carol served as Assistant Principal at Dickson and Cortez Elementary Schools in the Chino Valley Unified School District.  Prior to that, she served in Walnut Valley for 20 years as a Title VII Project Leader/ELD Specialist, multicultural mentor teacher, and classroom teacher. She was also a teacher at the Montebello Baptist School and Pomona Valley Christian School. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

“It feels like coming back home to family and it’s a great fit. I know this culture and how great Walnut Valley Schools are. It’s an honor to come back and serve here in this new position,” shel said.

Mrs. Carolyn Wills brings 33 years of successful experience in the Walnut Valley Unified School District to her new position at Collegewood Elementary. Last year, she has served as Interim Principal at Quail Summit Elementary School.  Prior to that she was the Principal Designee/Continuation High School Teacher at the Ron Hockwalt Academies. She served as Interim Principal in 2007 and assistant principal Elementary Learning Specialist from 1999-2009 at Westhoff Elementary. She was a classroom teacher and Peer Assistance Leaders Advisor at Suzanne Middle School in the 2008-09 school year. She started her teaching career at Walnut Elementary, and taught at Collegewood Elementary from 1989-1994 before moving to Westhoff Elementary.  She holds a Master’s degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University.

“I am thrilled to be returning to the great staff, awesome students and wonderful school community at Collegewood Elementary!” she said.  

Mr. An Nguyen brings over 17 years of experience in education to his new post at C.J. Morris Elementary School. For the past four years, he served as Principal at Canoas Elementary School in the San Jose Unified School District. His previous administrative experience includes serving as Staff Development Coordinator, Focus on Educational Technology for Santa Clara County Office of Education, Educational Technology Resource Teacher, and Title I Project Specialist.

In 2000-2002, he served as Database Administrator, WASC Accreditation Coordinator, ESL Department Head and Teacher at the Thai-Chinese International School (K-12) in Thailand.  He started his career as an elementary classroom teacher in the Fountain Valley School District. He holds a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Pepperdine University and is working on his Doctoral Degree in Learning Technologies.

“I am so excited about serving as the new principal of C.J. Morris.  I look forward to working with the entire school community in continuing the excellence of the school as well as taking it to greater heights,” he said. 

Mr. An Nguyen, Principal, C.J. Morris Elementary School

Mrs. Carol Sullivan, Principal, Castle Rock Elementary School

Mrs. Carolyn Wills, Principal, Collegewood Elementary School

Mrs. Jackie Brown, Director of Educational Services

Mr. Robert Chang, Director of Human Resources

Mrs. Susan Arzola, Principal, South Pointe Middle School