At the June 9, 2022 board meeting, several leaders were announced. Some are new to the District and others are familiar faces. Please read below to learn more about them.
Jason Javier-Watson: Assistant Principal for Vista del Lago
Folsom Cordova is pleased to announce Jason Javier-Watson as the new Assistant Principal at Vista del Lago High School.
Dr. Javier-Watson comes to us from St. Francis Catholic High School in Sacramento, where he has served as Assistant Principal for the last four years. He began his career in education in 2005 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a secondary school Spanish teacher and Assistant Football Coach. Later, he worked in underserved communities in New Jersey, where he founded an elementary school and established a school culture of high achievement and high support in underserved communities. After earning his doctorate in Reading/Writing/Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Javier-Watson served as an Adjunct Professor for both the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University.
His focus on academic study and school campus program implementation includes supporting the social and emotional needs of students, literacy programs to serve underperforming and socially disadvantaged students, and leadership training for staff.
Prior to earning his Doctor of Education, he earned his Master of Science from the University of Pennsylvania and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Kansas.
Lori Emmington: Director, Curriculum and Instruction
Folsom Cordova is pleased to announce Lori Emmington as Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
Ms. Emmington will join the C&I team with a focus on secondary curriculum and instruction. She has been in education for over 25 years, and with Folsom Cordova since 2000, when she began as a teacher at Folsom High School. In 2007 she joined the teaching team at Vista del Lago, where she later served as the Principal for five years. She is a National Board teacher, a professional development coordinator for The California Arts Project, and a Leadership Institute Coach for the Sacramento County Office of Education.
Ms. Emmington earned her Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and her Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from CSU Sacramento. Her passion for teaching and learning is evident in her commitment to building an inclusive, positive district culture where students and staff feel successful, valued, and supported.
Kate Hazarian: Director of Strategic Initiatives and Support Services
Kate Hazarian has been named Director of Strategic Initiatives and Support Services.
Ms. Hazarian has just finished her 31st year in public education in the Sacramento region as a school social worker, site administrator, and district administrator. She has served as Child Welfare and Attendance Coordinator, founding Director of the Family Engagement and Partnership Development departments in Twin Rivers and San Juan USD, and led the development of San Juan’s MTSS framework. She is the founder of Project DREAM education foundation and is an internationally certified Professional Coach.
For the last year, Kate has supported the FCUSD Attendance and Due Process and SEL/Equity Departments with a systemic approach to improving attendance, behavior, and social emotional wellness. In her new role, she will be responsible for organizing, leading, and managing the district-wide implementation of culturally sustaining social, emotional, and behavioral supports into a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). She will also lead a cross-departmental effort to bring a Community Schools initiative to FCUSD, which will focus on removing barriers to academic excellence and graduation. She will support our Mental Health and School Social Work team, assist sites with PBIS implementation and lead our Parent Coordinators.
Charity Pelz: Human Resources Manager
Folsom Cordova is pleased to announce Charity Pelz as Human Resources Manager.
Ms. Pelz has been with FCUSD since 2008, where she held various positions at school sites, including Counseling Clerk and Registrar, before moving to a Personnel Technician in Human Resources. She separated for one year to take a promotional opportunity as a Senior Personnel Technician with the Sacramento County Office of Education, then returned to Folsom Cordova in the capacity of a Personnel Analyst in Human Resources. She has a total of six years of experience working in Human Resources. Ms. Pelz graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Bakersfield.
Steve Cleveland: Manager of Maintenance and Operations
Steve Cleveland will be Folsom Cordova’s Manager of Maintenance and Operations.
Mr. Cleveland has been with the District for over twenty years, primarily as an HVAC Technician and has been a lead on several HVAC replacement projects for the District.
For the last nineteen years, he has also held the position of after-hours Fire Intrusion Technician. In the past years, he served on the District’s CSEA negotiation team and took part in training for employee/management relations, budget analysis, leadership training, and contract interpretation.
Before joining FCUSD, Mr. Cleveland worked for Todd Electromechanical as a lead for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and refrigeration installation and repairs.
David Stone: Director, Network and Information Technology
Formerly a Manager in Folsom Cordova’s Education Technology Information Systems (ETIS), David Stone has been promoted to Director, Network and Information Technology.
Originally from Pomona, California, David graduated from the California State University, Sacramento and began his work in local K-12 school districts. He served the Natomas Unified School District for 14 years before he found his home at Folsom Cordova in 2013. Mr. Stone is well versed in the world of technology and enjoys using his skills to contribute to the exciting technological advances that happen every day in education. He also contributes his athletic abilities as a high school track and field coach in the Sacramento region. David’s dedication to service and optimistic attitude makes him a valuable member of Team FCUSD.
