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Building Community: Principal for a Day
Since 2006, the Pasadena Educational Foundation has invited our community to step into the vibrant world of the Pasadena Unified School District with our Principal for a Day program. This immersive experience is not just one day; it’s a journey into the heart of public education, where community leaders, professionals, and advocates discover the magic that happens within our classrooms.
Principal for a Day is a chance to engage, inspire, and be inspired. Every school and every classroom offers opportunities to be immersed in the diverse perspectives that make each classroom a unique hub of ideas. Guest principals will spend time with students and teachers, witnessing their enthusiasm for learning and sharing their dreams, passions, and creativity.
Principal for a Day has engaged more than 500 guest principals and helped build lasting relationships with community partners who invest in the district’s initiatives and growth. They provide resources, engage in projects, become volunteers, and, most importantly, advocate for our schools.
Thank you to all who have joined us in working to achieve excellence and equity in all our PUSD schools.
It’s a Milestone!
Over 500 community members have
participated as guest principals
in our Principal for a Day program.
Take a look at our amazing 2024 Principals for a Day:
Altadena Arts Magnet: Erin Baker
Erin Baker previously served as vice president of marketing communications for Pasadena-founded grocery store chain, Trader Joe’s, and is an officer of grantmaking nonprofit Fitzberg Foundation. A patron of the…(read more)
Blair IB Magnet: Mark Leavens
Mark Leavens has volunteered at the Tournament of Roses since 1995 and will serve as Its President in 2026. He will provide leadership for the 137th Rose Parade® and the…(read more)
CIS Academy / Rose City High: Gabe Jones
Dr. Gabe Jones is the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Pacific Oaks College and has over 15 years of experience in higher education administration, including previously serving as National…(read more)
Don Benito Fundamental: Miles Prince
Miles Prince was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, where he attended local public schools. Since 2018, he has been elected to represent Sierra Madre on the Board…(read more)
Eliot Arts Magnet: Victoria Knapp
Victoria Knapp is a native Pasadenan who moved with her husband and two sons to Altadena in 2011 in order to live in a quieter, smaller community that would allow…(read more)
Field Elementary: Naz Sabripour
Naz Sabripour, CEM, CVP, executive director of the Pasadena Convention Center, is a proud Iranian-American, born in Tehran where she lived for less than one year before her parents moved…(read more)
Hamilton Elementary: Maggie Sabbag
Maggie grew up in the Pasadena area, attending Gooden and Polytechnic Schools. She received a BA In Soviet/Russian Studies from Princeton University and a Masters in International Economic Policy from…(read more)
Jackson Elementary: Kevin Caporicci
Kevin is a Manager of the Acquisition Planning and Compliance Section at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He completed his doctorate in Organizational Leadership at Pepperdine University. He received an MBA…(read more)
Longfellow Elementary: Katie Poole
Katie Poole is the founding board chair of The Pasadena Literary Alliance and current co-chair of their Open Book program. Katie has significant experience in leading for-profit and non-profit strategic…(read more)
Madison Elementary: Luisa Ortega
Luisa Ortega, Ed.D., is an indigenous, first-generation Chicana and a passionate advocate for access to education, mental health, and the needs of youth in disenfranchised communities. Her initial association with…(read more)
Madison Elementary: Vannia de la Cuba
After serving for 17 years in the District 5 Council office of Victor M. Gordo, Vannia de la Cuba followed him to the mayor’s office when he was elected mayor…(read more)
Marshall Fundamental: James Chang
I have profound dedication to advancing the financial literacy movement, driven by his passion for helping individuals and families realize the American Dream. Having worked in the credit union industry…(read more)
McKinley School: Michael Osborn
I was born in Scottsdale in 1954 and moved to California in 1966. I am a graduate of Blair High School, class of 1972. At that time I began working…(read more)
Muir High School: Jane Kaczmarek
Award-winning actor and star of TV’s Malcolm in the Middle, Jane is a committed advocate for public education and the arts. Through her work with PEF and the Pasadena Playhouse,…(read more)
Muir High School: Leigh Olivar
Leigh and her husband Harry have a blended family with five boys ages 22-33. She has lived in the Pasadena and San Marino areas for the last 28 years. She…(read more)
Norma Coombs Elementary: Chad Augustin
Chief Augustin comes to Pasadena from the Sacramento Fire Department (SFD) where he worked for more than 20 years and in a broad range of areas including operations, administration, human…(read more)
Octavia E. Butler Academy: Sanford Williams
Sanford is a Lecturer of Law at UCLA Law School, and Deputy Chief of Staff to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel at the FCC. Sanford graduated from Newark Academy in New Jersey…(read more)
Pasadena High School: Kelly Kriebs
Kelly Kriebs was elected to the City Council in 2020 and became Mayor in December 2023. Prior to running for office, Kelly volunteered locally at the Sierra Madre schools and…(read more)
San Rafael Elementary: Louise Wannier
(Serial) Creative entrepreneur. Author. Artist. Grandmother. Louise Wannier is a pioneering technology entrepreneur, building innovative consumer/interactive education/digital media products. Louise has built four companies and now advises/mentors other entrepreneurs in…(read more)
Sierra Madre Elementary: Will Morris
Will Morris is a proud PUSD graduate. He is a parent of two children who both were PUSD students. The oldest, Mo, graduated from Syracuse University, while Michael is currently…(read more)
Sierra Madre Middle: Zach Mank
Zach Mank has worked with Honeybee Robotics for over eight years in a combination of organizational management, technical leadership, and systems and mechanical engineering roles. He has helped drive the…(read more)
Washington Elementary: Tyron Hampton
A commitment to Pasadena residents through facilitating access to city resources and departments, relationship building, and an amplified voice is what Councilmember Tyron Hampton pledged and delivers to the people…(read more)
Webster Elementary: Erica Tamblyn
Erica Tamblyn is the chair of the Safe Haven Bridge to Housing Program. Ms. Tamblyn is the retired Director of Administration of Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP and held…(read more)
Willard Elementary: Diana Peterson-More
Diana has been a “first” in many of the positions she held. After graduating from Loyola Law School, Diana took a year off to care for her son who was…(read more)
See Our 2024
Photo Gallery Here
Take a look at our previous classes of Principals for a Day:
Principal for a Day 2023
Principal for a Day 2022
Principal for a Day 2019
Principal for a Day 2018
Principal for a Day 2017
What’s New
Western Asset Volunteers Bring Care and Creativity to PUSD Schools During Franklin Templeton’s Impact DaysAs part of Franklin Templeton’s global Impact Days [More]- App Academy Celebrates 10th GraduationThe App Academy class of 2025 celebrated its tenth class of [More]
- Over 500 PUSD Students and Families Receive Clothing Through UNIQLO PartnershipMore than 500 Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) [More]
- Happy Hollow Elementary Penny FundraiserEaton Fire Response Spotlight Across the country our PUSD [More]
INTERESTED IN BEING A PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY?
Contact us at connect@pasedfoundation.org
Support Your Community Schools
Principal for a Day is one of the many ways the Pasadena Educational Foundation helps connect the resources of our community with our public schools.
