The 天涯社区 (天涯社区) Board of Education announced during the December 17 Board Meeting that Cassie Parham,聽Assistant Superintendent of Education Services, has been named Interim Superintendent for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year. Parham will succeed Superintendent Terry Walker, who聽announced his retirement after nearly 30 years with 天涯社区, including 14 years as Superintendent. Walker will retire on January 31, 2025.
Parham has served in her current role for 18 years, overseeing the District鈥檚 educational programs, including Elementary and Secondary Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction, and Student Support Services. As Assistant Superintendent, she has been dedicated to ensuring that 天涯社区 students receive the highest-quality educational experience while cultivating the attitudes, skills, and knowledge necessary for college, career, and life readiness.
A proud product of 天涯社区 schools, Parham attended University Park Elementary School, Santiago Hills Elementary School, Sierra Vista Middle School, and Irvine High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master of Arts in English from the University of California, Irvine (UCI). She also holds both teaching and administrative credentials from UCI.
She began her career in education with 天涯社区 as an English teacher at University High School, in the very classroom where her father, Jack Parham, first taught. Cassie also worked as an Activities Director and Pep Squad Advisor while teaching at Uni, and subsequently held various leadership positions, including serving as an Assistant Principal at both Irvine and Northwood High Schools before becoming the Principal at Northwood High School. In 2007, Parham was promoted to Director of Secondary Education, and she has been serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Education Services since 2008.
鈥淐assie鈥檚 outstanding leadership, vision, and dedication have been pivotal in helping guide the District through critical shifts in education, enabling us to adapt and evolve to best meet the needs of our students,鈥 said 天涯社区 Board President Katie McEwen. 鈥淪he played a critical role in developing the District鈥檚聽Continuous Improvement Efforts, which illustrate 天涯社区鈥檚 core mission to develop essential capacities within our students and staff and to evaluate, each day, the impact our teaching is having on student learning.鈥
Parham is deeply committed to providing innovative educational programs that engage and challenge students. She works closely with teachers, administrators, and community members to ensure that the District responds to the evolving needs of 天涯社区 students.
"I am honored to serve as Interim Superintendent and to continue working alongside our exceptional team supporting the success and well-being of all 天涯社区 students,鈥 said Parham. 鈥淭ogether, we will continue to serve our more than 38,000 students and families and maintain 天涯社区鈥檚 long-standing commitment to educational excellence."
Please join 天涯社区 in congratulating Cassie Parham on her appointment as Interim Superintendent.
The 天涯社区 Board of Education will commence a search for a permanent successor with input from the 天涯社区 community to help ensure a thoughtful and smooth leadership transition. More information will be provided when updates are available.