New Corbett School District Superintendent

 

Interview by Michelle Carter Smith for Corbett School Newsletter

The new Corbett Superintendent, Dr. Derek Fialkiewicz, hails from Buffalo, New York. He was born in Buffalo and was adopted at the age of 18 months. Derek was an only child to his parents. His dad was a math teacher for 35 years and Derek wanted to be just like him. His mom worked with Key Bank for over 40 years, and his stepfather is a semi-retired electrician. All three parents who raised him are still living and close friends. During his childhood, Derek loved to play sports. During high school, he played basketball and lettered in track and cross country. College was always "the next step" and so that was his focus. Derek mom did not attend college; his dad has a master's degree in math and his stepdad has an associate's degree in engineering. Derek chose Fredonia State University on the basis of being a strong teacher prep school as well as having a championship track program. Derek lettered in three sports (cross country, indoor track and outdoor track) and was a three-time state champion in track while attending FSU. He credits the success to his competitive nature and love of running, which are still with him today. While student teaching in Western New York, Derek decided to move to the warmer climate after he stepped into an icy cold puddle while getting into his car. After graduation he moved to Las Vegas at the advice of a friend. Derek was hired as a math and computer science teacher at Green Valley High School in Las Vegas where he also coached track and cross country. It was during this time that he met and married his first wife, and they had two sons, Marek and Colin. Derek met his current wife, Kelly, at a math conference in Sparks, Nevada. They married in 2011, adding her kids, Katie, Michael, and Angelina to the combined family. After teaching math and computer science for 10 years, Derek transitioned to professional development, helping other math teachers, for two years. He then had an opportunity to become Dean of Students at Bonanza High School for 3.5 years. He loved that job because it provided the opportunity for him to positively impact the students who needed him most. Derek then became the assistant principal at Cram Middle School in North Las Vegas. Derek stayed for five years. In that time he was named Nevada's Assistant Principal of the Year as well as a top three finalist for the National Assistant Principal of the Year in 2017. Soon after receiving this award, Derek was hired as principal of Lied Middle School. He was there for five years and during that time converted it into a STEM magnet school, Lied STEM Academy. He led its transition into one of the top rated middle schools in Nevada. In 2022, Derek was named Magnet Principal of the Year for the Western Region of the US. It was while he was at Lied STEM Academy that he was able, after 10 years of work, to complete his doctorate degree in mathematics education from UNLV.

Why Corbett? Derek and Kelly honeymooned in Lincoln City in 2011. They both fell in love with the area and said aloud that they would love to one day live in Oregon. They came back in 2021 and still felt the same desire to move to Oregon and specifically, the Portland area. When the job position for superintendent was posted for Corbett, the research of the area, the school, and the community began. Derek and Kelly both felt it was a perfect fit. Corbett was the only school district that Derek applied to. At the in-person interview, Derek said he felt very comfortable and thought the Corbett community was very similar to his childhood days growing up in a small town outside of Buffalo. Derek and Kelly both plan to retire in Corbett in ten years. They purchased a home in the community and Kelly was hired as the principal at Camas High School. Six months ago they welcomed their first grandson, Jackson. They continue working on their home and property to warmly welcome all of their visiting adult kids and extended family. They both attend Corbett Community Church and are members of the Columbia Grange. Derek volunteers with Helping Hands at the Grange, attends monthly NEMCCA meetings at the Corbett Fire Hall, and is helping plan the Corbett July 4th Parade and Fun Fest. They are both big sports fans, closely following the Buffalo Bills and the Las Vegas Golden Knights hockey team. Derek feels that there continue to be great days ahead for the Corbett School District. He wants each student to leave high school graduation with as many options as possible. Whether a student chooses college, the military, or a career path, he wants each student to also have a second language mastered and have a musical background. He greatly enjoys talking with both students and parents and has an open-door policy.

All reactions:

47Heather Anderson Garrett, John Revere Jordan and 45 others