Wendy Sol, Principal, Gold Ridge Elementary

Folsom Cordova is pleased to announce that Wendy Sol will be the principal for Gold Ridge Elementary next school year.

Ms. Sol has been in education for 27 years. The majority of those years were spent in the classroom as an upper elementary teacher, with the last six as an administrator.  She has taught at both Theodore Judah and Empire Oaks, served as an assistant principal at Russell Ranch and Navigator Elementary, and is the current Principal of Mather Heights Elementary. 

She has held her National Board Certification for Teaching since 2005 and continues to provide her staff with the highest level of support for effective pedagogy. As a lead learner she values “building strong relationships with students, families, staff, and the surrounding community.”  

Ms. Sol earned her Bachelor of Arts from Saint Mary’s College of California and a Master of Arts from San Jose State University.  

Jason Dupree, Principal, Russell Ranch

Folsom Cordova is pleased to welcome Jason Dupree as the new Principal for Russell Ranch Elementary.

Mr. Dupree comes to us with over 20 years of educational experience. He began his teaching career as a student teacher in FCUSD and from there, moved to a teaching position in Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District.  For the past three years, he has been an administrator at Indian Creek Elementary School in Placerville. 

As an administrator, he successfully led his staff through the implementation of PLCs and PBIS. He oversaw and supported the revamping of early literacy strategies and interventions during his time at Indian Creek. Described as a “passionate, student-focused administrator who values collaboration and community involvement”, Mr. Dupree is excited to work with the students, staff, and families at Russell Ranch Elementary School.  

A local resident, Mr. Dupree lives in the Folsom Cordova community with his wife and children. He received his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from National University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Social Sciences from Chico State. 

Amber Carter, Principal, Cordova Villa

Folsom Cordova is pleased to welcome Amber Carter as the new Principal for Cordova Villa Elementary.

Ms. Carter has served in public education for 24 years. Her first 12 years were in the classroom as a middle school and high school teacher for schools in the Sacramento City Unified School District. Subsequently, she became a site administrator for Will C. Wood Middle School  and then a Principal at Ethel I. Baker Elementary School. In 2019 she became the Principal for John C. Fremont Elementary School in the Stockton Unified School. Under her leadership, the school earned a California Distinguished Schools Award. 

Ms. Carter looks forward to becoming the Principal of Cordova Villa Elementary School and getting to know the community and staff. She is committed to aligning the vision and mission of the Folsom Cordova Unified School District with dedication to excellence in education, so the students at Cordova Villa will thrive. 

Carrie Jackson, Assistant Principal, Cordova High School.  

Folsom Cordova welcomes Dr. Carrie Jackson as an Assistant Principal for Cordova High School.

Dr. Jackson has been with the Folsom Cordova Unified School District for twelve years; ten years as a social science teacher at Vista del Lago High School and two years as a Curriculum & Instruction Specialist. In her current role, she is responsible for leading professional development and instructional collaboration throughout the District. With a community-based approach to leadership, Dr. Jackson believes in engaging with the community to create strong educational environments that empower students so they may reach their fullest potential, emphasizing the importance of providing students with real-world experiences and developing global perspectives. 

Additionally, Dr. Jackson served as an Equity Leader with the district for the past two years, supporting the pilot of Ethnic Studies and the launch of FCUSD's first district-wide International Night. She is proud to join Cordova High School as an Assistant Principal for the 2023-2024 school year and looks forward to working alongside the community. 

Dr. Jackson earned her bachelor and doctoral degrees from the California State University, Sacramento, and master's degree from UC Davis.

Collette MacDonald, Assistant Principal, Adult Education

Folsom Cordova is pleased to announce that Collette MacDonald will be an Assistant Principal for Adult Education

Ms. MacDonald has over 15 years of experience in alternative education as an educator, curriculum coordinator and vice principal. She has been with Folsom Cordova for the past five years, leading the Adolescent Parent Program at Walnutwood High School. At Walnutwood, she also assumed lead roles as the WASC self-study coordinator, PLC lead teacher, and testing coordinator. 

Mrs. MacDonald holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a master’s degree in Education. She is excited to step into this new role and inspire, support, and empower adult learners.

Cathelean Jones, Director of Transportation

Folsom Cordova is pleased to announce that Cathelean Jones has been named as the Director of Transportation.  Ms. Jones is currently the District’s Transportation Supervisor and has been in the school bus transport industry for 26 years. She began her school bus driving career with Laidlaw Transit located in Southern California and transitioned over to Folsom Cordova in 2005 as a bus driver. Since then, she has advanced to become a Delegate Behind the Wheel Trainer in 2014 and proceeded to become a Department of Education State Certified School Bus Instructor in 2016.

She has earned her Certification as a First Aid/CPR Instructor and has completed the Supervisor Reasonable Suspension and Substance Abuse Training Course on Drug & Alcohol. In 2016 she was named Transportation Employee of the Year, and in 2021 was honored as the District’s Support Person of the Year. Ms. Jones is dedicated to promoting excellent work performance, achieving all district safety goals, and providing encouragement to her colleagues.