Dr. Tremayne Clardy BSE '94, M.S. ‘98
Tremayne Clardy receives the 2024 UW-Whitewater Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement
Written by Kristine Zaballos | Images submitted
Tremayne Clardy, who was raised in east Texas, had never heard of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater when it came time to think about college.
An unlikely turn of events led him to first become a Warhawk, then to thrive on campus under the mentorship of Roger Pulliam and other leaders, and finally to embark upon a more than 25-year career in education capped by his current role as superintendent of schools for the Verona Area School District, which encompasses 10 schools and 5,888 students.
Clardy, who earned a BSE in physical education in 1994 and an M.S. in health, physical education and coaching in 1998, is a recipient of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement, presented to a graduate of UW-Whitewater who has exhibited distinguished professional, personal and career achievement, and is recognized for accomplishments in their field.
The Twin Cities native, who moved to Texas when he was young, comes from a close-knit family. He was one of four cousins born within a month of one another, all high school athletes who talked about attending the same college and being in athletics together. His cousins, who remained in Minnesota, were acquainted with UW-Whitewater, which recruited in the Twin Cities area because of state reciprocity agreements. After they clued him in, he reached out to coaches at UW-Whitewater, did a campus visit, and applied.
“I loved playing football,” said Clardy, who played under legendary football coach Bob Berezowitz. “But I liked the academic experience even better.”
A first-generation college student, Clardy came to campus with the great hopes, aspirations, love and support of his family. But transitioning from high school to college coursework was not easy.
“During your first semester you have to figure things out pretty fast,” said Clardy. “There’s not a lot of hand-holding. It was a challenge that grounded me in my work ethic and not taking anything for granted. I learned the art of preparation.”
He thrived under the mentorship of Roger Pulliam, a champion of equity and inclusion who served as assistant vice chancellor of academic support services, as well as LaMont Weaver, a basketball coach and counselor who helped him both with academics and with what Clardy called the “growing up piece.”
Originally a business student, by the time he finished his general studies, he’d had gotten interested in education through his coaching classes.
“Coaching is the purest form of teaching,” said Clardy.
Clardy’s first job after graduating was as dean of students in the School District of Beloit, where Pulliam had a connection with the HR director. He also served as a football coach, first as a defensive coordinator before moving to the position of district athletic director.
His passion for serving students led him to the classroom where he became a 7th grade science teacher. It was then that his academic career took off.
“I understood systems and developed a keen instructional lens when I became a practitioner in the classroom,” said Clardy. “Then the coaching and the instructional lens came together into me developing strategies to support and coach teachers on their practice and their skills — that made administration the right calling for me.”
His career in education includes the Madison Metropolitan School District, where he worked from 2012 to 2020. In his leadership roles, he models an anti-racist, equity-focused approach to education using student voice, systems of support, and culturally relevant practices to ensure that all students are respected, welcomed and encouraged to thrive.
In 2021, he was named to the list of Wisconsin's 48 Most Influential Black Leaders by Madison 365. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Verona Area Chamber of Commerce, a member of the 100 Black Men of Madison, a member of the AASA, the national school superintendents association, and serves on the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Advisory Committee.
Additionally, he is recognized through his admission to the AASA-USC Urban Superintendent’s Academy, New York City Leadership Academy, Harvard University Public Education Leadership Project, the Superintendent Training Academy, and the Men's Leadership Summit.
Clardy credits his mom for her love and support as a contributing factor to his success.
“We struggled financially, and she did everything she could — working 2-3 jobs at a time — to afford out-of-state tuition,” he said. You see someone working all day — there’s no way I am going to let her down.”
Clardy is committed to paying it forward in the field of education for her and for Pulliam, seeing generations coming after him and doing everything he can do to mentor and serve them.
“I don’t want to imagine the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater without the impact of Dr. Pulliam. I try very hard to add onto his legacy. Many of us wouldn’t be where we are without him. He opened my eyes, and he opened so many doors. How to be financially responsible, how to network — how to golf!”
Clardy is married to Dr. Sarah Chaja-Clardy, director of secondary education for the Sun Prairie Area School District. They first met when they were principals in the same district, hired within days of each other. His daughter Tanayah Clardy is also a Warhawk — a junior studying communication.
“I am very proud of her for taking on her own journey, paving her own path,” he said. “It’s one of the greatest compliments to a university that you want your child to go here too.”
“We used to call it a hidden gem,” Clardy continued. “But it’s not hidden anymore. I’d put Whitewater up against anybody in the Midwest for its affordability, its safety, and the power of the degree.”
