[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 103 (Tuesday, June 13, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   RECOGNIZING CLOVIS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT EIMEAR 
                                O'BRIEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 13, 2023

  Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Eimear 
O'Brien on her retirement as Superintendent of the Clovis Unified 
School District. Throughout her 39-year career in the education field, 
Eimear has demonstrated servant leadership, professionalism, and 
integrity. Her passion for improving the lives of our youth through 
education is emblematic of Clovis.
  Before serving as the Superintendent of the Clovis Unified School 
District, Eimear spent nearly 20 years in the classroom from 1983 to 
2003. Born and raised in Ireland. Eimear earned her bachelor's degree 
from the Carysfort College of Education at the National University of 
Ireland in 1983. After earning her teaching credential in Ireland, she 
taught for 10 years in Dublin before accepting a teaching opportunity 
in the United States. She moved to Fresno, California in 1993 and 
became a first-grade teacher at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School 
before joining Clovis Unified as a third grade teacher at Maple Creek 
Elementary School in 1996. In 2010, Eimear graduated with her Doctorate 
in Educational Leadership from California State University, Fresno. 
Eimear's pursuit of academic excellence serves as a role model for the 
students, teachers, staff, and administrators to inspire excellence 
within Clovis Unified.
  Following her two decades as an elementary school teacher in both 
Ireland and the United States. Eimear served in numerous leadership 
capacities at Clovis Unified, which speaks volumes about the trust 
placed in her. She began her pathway in educational leadership as the 
Guidance Instructional Specialist (GIS) at Valley Oak Elementary School 
in 2003. From there, she quickly advanced to Learning Director at 
Clovis West High School, Principal of Valley Oak Elementary School in 
2007, Deputy Principal of Clovis West High School in 2009, and 
Principal of Clovis West High School in 2012. From 2014 to 2017, she 
served as Assistant Superintendent for the Clovis West Area before her 
appointment by the Clovis Unified Board of Trustees to the position of 
Superintendent in 2017.
  During her tenure, Clovis Unified earned numerous awards, including, 
but not limited to, three National Blue Ribbon Awards, 13 California 
Distinguished School Awards, one Model Continuation School Award, five 
National Schools to Watch Awards, 28 California Pivotal Practice 
Awards, 54 Honor Roll School Recognitions, 43 Bonner Character Awards, 
51 Positive Behavior Interventions and Support Awards, and 41 Statewide 
Civil Learning Awards.
  While Eimear has an impressive list of accomplishments throughout her 
career, her greatest legacy is the lasting, positive impact on the 
lives of students over her nearly four decades of educational service. 
I know that Eimear is looking forward to this next chapter of her life 
and spending more time with her two daughters, Sarah and Emma. On 
behalf of the 20th Congressional District of California, I would like 
to congratulate Dr. Eimear O'Brien on a well-deserved retirement, a 
successful career in education, and for her many contributions to our 
community.

                          ____________________