In June 2025, Superintendent of Schools at Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) Parvin Ahmadi will officially step down from the role she has held for the past 10 years. TCV recently spoke with the lifetime educator about her career, from proudest achievements to greatest challenges, and all the special moments in-between.
TCV: First off, congratulations on your retirement!
AHMADI: Thank you so much! I’ve been working in education for 36 years now and I absolutely loved every minute of it. My coworkers, members of the public, the organizations, the teachers and students—everyone has been just so wonderful! It really has been such a privilege.
TCV: What made you decide that now is the time to step down?
AHMADI: Well, when you have a grandchild, everything changes. And I feel confident with what we have accomplished here in Castro Valley. Being a superintendent in a district for 10 years is unusual. Usually you get recruited to another district after three to four years. But I just never wanted to leave. I have an amazing group of assistant superintendents and principals and teachers. We’ve done a lot of great work, and I think it’s a good time to let them move forward so I can spend more time with our grandchild and kids.
Of course, advocating for public education is a part of me, so I will continue to be active at the state level with legislation, and with teaching through the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), the California School Boards Association (CSBA), and at CSU East Bay. So I’ll still be busy, just a different kind of busy.
TCV: Can you talk a little about growing up and why you chose to become an educator?
AHMADI: I was born in Iran. I am the youngest of seven, so: big family, lots of nieces and nephews. I moved to Iowa as an exchange student when I was in high school. I didn’t speak English so it was a struggle. But I persevered and I had support. I think this is why I feel like we need to do everything we can to support every single child, regardless of circumstances.
‘I feel it’s important for a superintendent to have experience as a teacher. When you leave the classroom, you miss it a lot. That’s why I visit the schools all the time. It’s important for me to know what’s happening.’
– Parvin Ahmadi
I was first interested in engineering. Most of my family was into engineering, business and medicine. But I also loved teaching and playing school. After high school I married and had a family and we moved to San Jose. I received my bachelor’s degree in health science from San Jose State and began doing presentations and workshop sessions. I really loved the teaching part of that, so I decided to get my teaching credential.
I taught in elementary school in San Jose for 11 years, then we moved to Fremont and I taught for one and a half years, then [I was] vice principal and principal at Parkmont Elementary School, then director for two years and assistant superintendent for three years. I was superintendent in Pleasanton for five years before coming to Castro Valley.
I feel it’s important for a superintendent to have experience as a teacher. When you leave the classroom, you miss it a lot. That’s why I visit the schools all the time. It’s important for me to know what’s happening.
TCV: What challenges have you had to face as superintendent?
AHMADI: Covid was hard. It was a pandemic, and we didn’t know what the next day would bring. But I felt that Castro Valley handled it very well. The school board and I all agreed early on that we would follow the county and state health guidance, because we needed to be informed by science. We met with the Alameda County Health Department every week, and with other superintendents throughout California. That was absolutely crucial.
We all had to train to do things we had never done before. We made and delivered food, we administered Covid tests, we learned how to use new technology for remote learning. We had to adapt. And we pushed hard to open up hubs where students could come to learn in person, because every family is different, and many of them didn’t have the resources for homeschooling.
TCV: What about issues with teachers? I’m thinking specifically of Keita Hasegawa, the former high school music teacher, who was charged with child sex abuse?
AHMADI: That absolutely broke my heart. I mean, every single person who works with our children needs to have their safety as their number one focus. And it was hard because I couldn’t share much of what was going on with the public due to labor laws. There’s a process that we had to follow and it takes months, and people wanted answers.
But he was put on leave as soon as we found out and was never allowed back. And I know that law enforcement did their best as well and went through their process. Honestly, this is the hardest thing that can happen in a district.
‘I’m super proud of all the accomplishments our kids have made, and how they behave towards one another. I see how welcoming and supportive they are of one another and it makes me really happy.’ – Parvin Ahmadi’
– Parvin Ahmadi
TCV: What achievements are you most proud of?
AHMADI: I’m really proud of all the course offerings that we’ve been able to provide. There are a lot of choices at the high school and middle schools, so students can find their passion early on. And our Virtual Academy lets them expand their opportunities by giving them time for internships. We’ve also expanded our social work and counseling services, so that’s huge. I’m also very proud of our professional development, especially for our classified workers, and our new teachers. Our induction program is very strong.
I’m also super proud of all the accomplishments our kids have made, and how they behave towards one another. I see how welcoming and supportive they are of one another and it makes me really happy. Their compassion and their critical thinking skills are just amazing. It gives me such hope for the future.
TCV: Any last words?
AHMADI: As a mom, I only want the best for my kids, and I know that every single parent wants the best for their kids. “Nothing you do for children is ever wasted,” is engraved on a bracelet that I wear everyday given to me many years ago by a colleague. That has been my motto. They say it takes a village to raise a child, or, in this case, about 9,500 kids! And every single person who works in the district impacts student learning. I will always cherish this community.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
