For Jorge Clark, what started as a short-term substitute job turned into a 20-year journey of connection, community, and growth. As he celebrates two decades with the Corona-Norco Unified School District, Jorge reflects on not only the positions he's held, but the people, experiences, and values that shaped the leader he is today.
Jorge didn’t set out to work in education. In fact, after graduating from Centennial High School, his path pointed toward healthcare. After earning his nursing assistant license he began working in an Alzheimer's unit as an activities director at the age of 19. When the company shifted and his role ended, Jorge’s mom, who works for CNUSD, encouraged him to apply for a District position.
What began as a short-term substitute assignment soon turned into a career path he never expected or planned. Jorge served as a Special Education Paraeducator substitute, health clerk, and bilingual tester before landing his role at El Cerrito Middle School, where he spent 14 years.
“El Cerrito is where I really grew up,” he said. “I had leaders like Dr. Lisa Simon, Dr. Shelly Yarbough, and Dr. Joann Ferrara who believed in me and gave me opportunities. They saw something in me that I didn’t know I had.”
Jorge’s time at El Cerrito deepened his love for community and connection as he worked closely with families and helped organize events. But one of his proudest achievements was helping initiate and launch the school’s annual Art Expo, now in its 15th year. The idea was inspired by a younger cousin who attended a school in Los Angeles and used Jorge’s photo to create a portrait for an art show. It was at this event that Jorge realized how powerful it could be to give students a similar platform. He reached out to the art teacher at El Cerrito, Dr. Angel Mejico, and together, along with Dr. Joann Ferrara, they began brainstorming what would eventually become a beloved school tradition, growing more creatively each year.
In 2021, Jorge went through a loss in his life and decided it was time for a change. He participated in the District’s Leadership Seminar and Footsteps to Freedom program which helped shape his leadership style.
“They helped me reflect on who I am and the kind of leader I want to be,” Jorge said. “It gave me the courage to take the next step.”
That next step brought him to his current role at the District Office in a confidential role as a secretary in Business Services. Jorge’s day to day tasks are filled with coordinating schedules, supporting multiple departments, managing logistics for events, and handling the behind-the-scenes details that keep things running smoothly.
“My favorite part of my role is assisting and making things happen,” Jorge shared. “I love the planning, the coordination, and just seeing things come to fruition.”
For Jorge, his mission has always been to lead with positivity and be a trustworthy support system for those around him. Humble about his accomplishments, Jorge credits his growth to the mentors who have guided him, still keeping in touch with them to this day. In turn, he pays it forward by mentoring others, often sharing his own journey with new employees or those just starting their careers.
“I’ll get calls from site staff who say, ‘if you did it, I can too,’” he said.
He shared an instance where an administrator, while working with a clerical substitute, asked Jorge to meet with her because she saw great potential in her and wanted Jorge to share his story. For him, moments like this are both humbling and motivating, a reflection of how his own growth has become an example for others.
Looking back, Jorge says he’s grateful for every experience, every challenge, and every person who believed in him. His advice is simple but powerful: seek great mentors, always keep learning, and stay true to yourself.