Michael R. McCormick Announced as New Val Verde Superintendent

In a 5-0 vote last week, the Val Verde Unified School District Board of Education appointed Michael R. McCormick to the position of Superintendent. McCormick was welcomed as the newly appointed superintendent by a standing ovation from those in attendance. He will assume the position on July 1, following the retirement of Superintendent Juan M. López. McCormick has been married to his wife Cathy for 27 years and together they have 19-year-old twin daughters. Both Alyssa and Brooke are second year students at Cal State University San Bernardino. McCormick enjoys traveling and spending time with his family when he is not at Val Verde and is proud to be the first person in his immediate family to graduate from college. McCormick began his career at the Val Verde Unified School District in 1997 as the Assistant Principal of the Vista Verde Middle School. In 1998, McCormick was transferred to Rancho Verde High School where he continued as an Assistant Principal. He was promoted to Principal of the Vista Verde Middle School in 2001 and in 2005 was promoted again to Principal of Rancho Verde High School. In 2009, McCormick was appointed to Assistant Superintendent of Education Services and has served in that capacity until his promotion this week. As the leader of the Education Services Division, McCormick is known as an innovator throughout the state in the area of technology utilization in the classroom. He has spearheaded multiple partnerships with various organizations such as Gooru, Hovercam and Splashtop to leverage learning opportunities for the students of the Val Verde Unified School District. Prior to his employment with the Val Verde Unified School District, McCormick worked for the Corona-Norco Unified School District as an elementary teacher and student advisor. He also worked part time at the Riverside County Juvenile Probation Department from 1989 to 1999. When asked about his upcoming transition to Superintendent, McCormick said, “Being selected as Superintendent is giving me the chance to live my dream. I am looking forward to continuing to serve the Val Verde students and community in this new position.” McCormick’s teaching is not limited to the K-12 age group. He has also been an Adjunct Professor in the School of Education at both Brandman University and the University of Redlands where he has influenced students who have aspirations of becoming educators and administrators themselves. During the last several years, McCormick has received several awards and commendations for excellence in K-12 education, including: • Administrator of the Year, ACSA Region XIX, 2015 • Certificated Administrator of the Year, Riverside County Office of Education, 2012 • Certificated Administrator of the Year, Val Verde Unified School District, 2012 He holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, San Bernardino in anthropology and Liberal Studies. He has a master’s degree in educational administration from National University. McCormick earned a multiple subject teaching credential from California Baptist University and an administrative credential from National University. Currently, McCormick is attending Walden University working towards a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Assessment, Evaluation and Accountability. Current superintendent, Juan López, said “Mike’s track record in improving the academic achievement of our students has brought County, State and National recognition to the Val Verde Unified School District.” McCormick is a well-respected and sought after speaker, giving presentations both statewide and nationally. He has presented original research the last three years at the California Educational Research Association (CERA) conference. He also presented for the College Board in Newport Beach, California. McCormick was proud to deliver a presentation at Google focusing on the successful implementation of instructional technology in a K-12 school district. Some of McCormick’s most notable accomplishments while leading the Education Services Division are listed below: Organization and Management • McCormick participated as a member of the Riverside County Contingent of Educators summoned by the White House to a meeting at the U.S. Department of Education to increase the number of all students completing FAFSA and applying to colleges and universities. The work completed there was highlighted in President Obama’s speech to attendees at the White House College Opportunity Day of Action held on Dec. 4, 2014, in the White House Executive Office of the President “College Opportunity Commitment Report”, and in a press release from the White House Press Secretary. • This past year, McCormick traveled to China as part of the College Board 2014 Chinese Bridge Delegation and was selected as ambassador, speaking for the group, exchanged ceremonial gifts on behalf of the delegation, met with Ministers of Education, and gave television and print interviews for local Chinese media. • Education Trust West featured the Val Verde Unified School District as “tops among California districts” Closing the Achievement Gap. VVUSD serves 19,760 students in portions of Moreno Valley, Perris, and Mead Valley. The graduation rate is 90.2%. District API is 803. There are 12 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 2 comprehensive high schools, and 2 alternative high schools. Every school has achieved a Similar Schools Ranking of 9 or 10. VVUSD is the only district in Riverside County with this accomplishment. • The Val Verde Unified School District was named College Board AP District of the Year 2012 for increasing enrollment in Advanced Placement courses and increasing the number of students achieving qualifying scores of 3 or better. Featured in the 9th Annual AP Report to the Nation. This is a direct result of AVID and the creation of the Scholars program. • McCormick created the Valedictorian Recognition Program in concert with the city of Moreno Valley, Riverside County Supervisors, and Moreno Valley Unified School District to honor valedictorians by displaying banners on streetlights throughout Moreno Valley and Mead Valley to recognize students and promote a college-going culture. • The National Center on Educational Outcomes featured Val Verde Unified School District in their publication Moving your Numbers for our success with Special Education. This report highlights many systems created under McCormick’s direction. Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment • McCormick expanded the use of certificated Instructional Coaches to include all secondary schools in the District that are on full release from the classroom. The Instructional Coaches facilitate data analysis after each Benchmark Assessment with grade level/course alike teacher teams. Based on the data, PLC teams create S.M.A.R.T. goals and develop standards-based instructional responses for implementation in the classroom. Instructional coaches then assist with the implementation of the instructional response through the Boston Model of Collaborative Coaching and Learning (CCL). Here, teachers plan and practice using new instructional strategies together. • As a result of numerous Advanced Placement Classes, US News and World Report named Rancho Verde High School one of America’s Top Schools in May 2007. Both Rancho Verde H.S. and Citrus Hill H.S. were named in 2012. Superintendent Juan López said, “The appointment of McCormick will allow the district to continue the momentum it has developed over the last few years in creating an inclusive environment for staff and parents. Mr. McCormick has been an integral part of those changes and I believe he will continue to make impacting and lasting improvements to the District.” “We are looking forward to working with McCormick as Superintendent and continuing the great things he has done while overseeing Education Services,” said Marla Kirkland, President of the Val Verde Unified District Board of Education.