Source: http://dmusd.org/district/files/openFile.aspx?fileID=5250.
Dr. Sharon McClain Selected as Del Mar Union School District Superintendent
DEL MAR - On August 20, 2008, the Board of Trustees of the Del Mar Union School District unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Sharon McClain as the new Superintendent. After a national search, the Board of Trustees in their drive to introduce their new Superintendent on the first day of school conducted a full day of first round interviews on Saturday August 16th and second round interviews with the finalists on Sunday August 17th. The Board traveled to Hermosa Beach, California today to conduct a validation visit and believes that Dr. Sharon McClain most perfectly matches the community-based criteria.
Board President Annette Easton stated, "The Del Mar Union School District will thrive under Dr. McClain/s leadership. Sharon/s breadth of experience will allow her to move seamlessly into this role. We believe we have found a perfect match for our district - one who greatly values public education, will maintain our high expectations for student achievement, exudes enthusiasm and collaboration, has all the essential skills and experience, and who will be a great leader of the district's talented administrative team, but more importantly a colleague.
Sharon comes from a family of educators. Her mother, grandmother, great aunt, aunt, and brother have all been teachers. Her father was a Marine Corps fighter pilot, flying a Corsair (F4U) in the South Pacific during WWII. Sharon attended San Diego State University, where she received her B.S. with distinction in Spanish. She earned her masters degree from National University and doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of La Verne.
Sharon began her teaching career in St. Louis, Mo. in 1967 in an "inner city" school. After teaching in St. Louis, Sharon stayed home for 10 years to have her children, Laura and Luke. Laura is now a practicing lawyer and Luke will transfer to UCLA next fall. Sharon has also had 4 foster children - Tiffany, Celeste, Gina, and Johnny, now grown. Sharon is married to Dr. Joe Condon, Superintendent of the Lawndale School District. Together, they have five children and 8 grandchildren.
Sharon resumed her teaching career in the Escondido Union School District in San Diego County in 1986. She taught elementary school and then vocal music for 3 1/2 years. In 1989, she became the district/s Coordinator of Student Support Programs in the Escondido district and then became the principal of Central School in Escondido in 1992. Central School is the oldest school in the city and 85% of the students were English Language Learners (mostly Spanish speakers). In 1994, Sharon moved to Ojai to become the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel in the Ojai Unified School District where Dr. Gwen Gross was Superintendent. Gwen and Sharon worked together for 4 years until Sharon became the Superintendent of the Mesa Union School District in Somas, CA (near Camarillo). From Mesa, Sharon moved to Hermosa Beach City School District where she is currently the Superintendent.
Sharon describes herself as a "teaching junkie" because of her many university teaching experiences. She has taught at UCSD and Chapman Universities, California State Universities at San Marcos, Channel Islands, Northridge, and Dominguez Hills. She is currently an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University.
The Board is delighted that the school year will begin on such a strong, positive note. Dr. McClain will use the next few weeks to complete her transition from Hermosa Beach to the Del Mar Union School District. While the final details of the Superintendent's contract still need to be finished, the Board is pleased that they will be able to bring in such a wonderful addition to our District within the parameters set in their budget.
"I'm thrilled and honored to be part of the Del Mar School District family. The support for schools is incredible!" says Dr. McClain.
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