Caulk Walks the Walk

This from the Blue Hens (U of Delaware):

Successful or struggling, urban, suburban and rural, University of Delaware alumnus Emmanuel (Manny) Caulk has worked in every type of educational setting.

Since obtaining his elementary teacher education degree and a master’s degree in instruction from UD, Caulk has held a wide range of positions, and set an impressive number of firsts. He has served as:

• The first principal of color at Penn Manor School District in Lancaster, Pennsylvania;
• Newark High School principal, where he initiated the Cambridge program, a rigorous international curriculum for academically advanced students;
• Assistant superintendent in East Baton Rouge Parish School System in Louisiana, where he implemented an improvement plan for Istrouma High School that became the only school in the district to be removed from the state’s takeover list; and
• The first African American superintendent in Maine, leading the state’s largest school district.

And as of Aug. 3, Caulk is the first African American superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools in Kentucky.

“Education is my passion. I love going into a school, talking to the teachers, parents, community — finding out where their priorities lie, what their concerns are, where would they like to grow and what are the points of pride — then, by working collaboratively together, setting them on a path for success,” said Caulk.

He takes special delight in helping students who don’t have the tools, the support or the expectation of success that many other children have. There’s a reason for that.

“I grew up in Wilmington public housing. My friends’ and my primary purpose for going to school was to socialize. We carried few school supplies and received very little guidance at home on the importance of education. Then in sixth grade I had Mr. (Robert) Glines as a teacher. For many of the boys in class — raised by single moms — he was our first male role model. He taught us to believe in ourselves. He gave us hope by instilling in us that, through education, we could accomplish our dreams.”

Higher education

In 1993, Caulk came to University of Delaware. “It was a culture shock, but a good one. I actually had a room of my own, and people around with whom I could share ideas and explore options outside of Wilmington city limits.”

Caulk joined ASPIRE, a student group that helps students from underrepresented populations to become teachers and leaders.

This proved to be a pivotal decision — he not only received incredible support from faculty and fellow students, but he met Christol Fitzgerald, a 1996 alumna who also received a master’s degree in 2000. They remained in touch after graduation, and on June 17, 2015, after nearly 20 years of friendship, they were married.

“I had taken positions all around the country, while Christol stayed in Delaware,” said Caulk. “It took awhile for us to reconnect, but once we did, we knew the time was right.“

Fitzgerald worked first as a teacher in the Christina School District, and is now an educational diagnostician with Appoquinmink School District. She expects to finish the school year in Delaware and join Caulk in Kentucky in 2016.

Applying his knowledge

Caulk returned to UD to earn his master’s degree in 2002. “I gained so much knowledge during my time at UD. I really enjoy going in to different schools and applying the skills I learned here,” he said.

Most recently, Caulk served as superintendent for Portland Public Schools, Maine’s largest and most diverse school district. Nearly 55 percent of the students qualify for the reduced/free lunch program. For 25 percent of students, English is a second language — the result of a large influx of immigrants from countries such as Rwanda, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

To address the district’s challenges, Caulk built partnerships with families, businesses and a local community college. Among the initiatives he introduced were a Spanish immersion program and world languages such as Mandarin and Arabic, online courses for elective and credit recovery options, and a bridge program to better prepare rising ninth graders for the rigors of high school.

“In partnership with the local community college and the John T. Gorman Foundation, we created a pathway program to help high school seniors approaching proficiency to have a bridge to college and career,” said Caulk. “Graduating seniors can take remedial classes at the community college the summer before they start. This enables them to improve their learning, become familiar with the college campus, develop a support group, and earn college credits.”

Now Caulk’s ready to address new challenges in Fayette County Public Schools. “I hope to create a world-class system of great schools, that delivers on the promise of graduating all students prepared for college, career, and life in a global society.”

Based on Caulk’s past record, students in Fayette County better get ready for success.