Clarissa served as the Executive Director of the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS). Prior to her retirement, she taught high school science and served as a Science Curriculum Specialist in the Baltimore City Public School System. She then served as Science Coordinator, Secondary Curriculum Director, and Executive Director of Curricular Programs for HCPSS.

Clarissa earned her bachelor’s in Zoology from Michigan State University and has a master’s in Curriculum from Loyola College (MD). She also has a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from University of Maryland College Park.