Every Student. Every School. Every Day. DONATE!
Principal for a Day invites community business and civic leaders to spend a morning with a school principal to better understand their complex role and get perspective on the school system from within.
Principal for a Day 2019 will be held on Wednesday, October 23.
Sponsored by the Pasadena Educational Foundation, Pasadena Unified Principal for a Day is a catalyst for relationships between local businesses and schools that bring volunteers, resources, and motivation to our students and enrich our community.
In its 14th year, Principal for a Day has now involved more than 450 community members and helped build lasting relationships between the schools, businesses, and the wider community. Participants spend a morning on campus shadowing a PUSD school principal, giving them a rare and valuable perspective of running a public school.
Thank you Wells Fargo and the
Ann Peppers Foundation for supporting PEF and PUSD Principal for a Day!
INTERESTED IN BEING A PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY?
Contact us at connect@pasedfoundation.org
What’s New
Thank You Vromans Customers for Donating New Books to PUSD Homeless Youth“We are very excited to have teamed up with [More]
Scholarship Spotlights 2020While high school graduations definitely looked [More]
Celebrating the New Hopes and Dreams ScholarshipCelebrating the Inaugural Year of the Hopes and Dreams [More]
PEF Launches Free At Home Summer ProgramPasadena Educational Foundation Launches At Home [More]
2019 Principal for a Day
Altadena Arts Magnet: Sylvia Vega
SYLVIA VEGA joined the Keller Williams real estate team in 2010. In her first year as a realtor she was awarded Rookie of the Year. Since that time she has…...
Altadena Arts Magnet: Mary Lea Carroll
Before raising children, Mary Lea Carroll worked in travel, theater, and in Hollywood. When her children were young, she taught children’s creative writing just around her kitchen table and helped…...
Blair IB Magnet: Staci Boretzky
Staci Boretzky is a Project Manager at Kaiser Permanente in the Community Benefit Department. In this role she helps to lead the Thriving Schools Initiative, which is a national effort…...
Blair IB Magnet: Aaron Bruce
With more than 20 years of experience leading initiatives focused on campus diversity, inclusion and international engagement, Aaron Bruce officially began his tenure at ArtCenter on December 3, 2018, and…...
CIS: Michael Than
Personal: Married – Wife – Jonalyn Children- Brandon, age 9 Logan, age 7 Education: 2001 – BS, Clinical Laboratory Science, Loma Linda University 2005 – MD, Loma Linda University 2008…...
Don Benito Elementary: John Harabedian
Born and raised in Sierra Madre, Mayor John Harabedian attended Sierra Madre Elementary School and St. Rita Elementary School before graduating from Loyola High School, Yale University (B.A.), Oxford University…...
Eliot Arts Magnet Academy: Val Zavala
Val Zavala, anchor, producer and award-winning journalist, of KCET’s “SoCal Connected” is retired after three decades of covering Los Angeles. Zavala began her career at KCET in 1987 and has…...
Field Elementary: Nagin Cox
Nagin Cox has been exploring since she decided as a teenager that she wanted to work at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She was born in Bangalore, India, and grew up…...
Focus Point Academy: A. Paul Kurkjian
EDUCATION Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship— Chief Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow 07/08-06/10 8700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 University of California Los Angeles, San Fernando…...
Franklin Elementary: Marjory Jacobs
As the unit commander of Altadena Station, Jacobs oversees approximately 120 personnel, including a team of volunteer reserve deputies trained in mountain rescue who respond to calls in the mountains…...
Jackson STEM Dual Language Magnet: Sara Hatch
The Junior League of Pasadena, Inc. (JLP) is proud to announce that Sara Hatch has been named 2019-2020 President of the local 93-year-old women’s volunteer and leadership organization, which has…...
Jefferson Elementary: Steve Wiebe
Dr. Steve Wiebe is the founder and Executive Director of Neighborhood Urban Family Center, an afterschool organization serving Pasadena for 26 years. He has an M.Div. and Ph.d. degree from…...
John Muir Early College Magnet: John Kinman
As the Dean of Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis (2009-2016) Mike had a particular interest in the Cathedral’s role in dismantling systemic misogyny and homophobia and promoting racial and…...
Longfellow Elementary: Michelle Quach
Michelle Quach is a Branch Manager for Wells Fargo Bank in Pasadena, CA and is active within the local community by providing Financial Health educational workshops....
Madison Elementary: Jonathan Hennessey
Jonathan Hennessey and Annie Oelschlager have lived in Sierra Madre for eleven years. Both of their daughters attend Sierra Madre Elementary School. Jonathan is a New York Times bestselling author.…...
Madison Elementary: Annie Oelschlager
Annie Oelschlager and Jonathan Hennessey have lived in Sierra Madre for eleven years. Both of their daughters attend Sierra Madre Elementary School. Prior to becoming a parent, Annie worked as…...
Marshall Fundamental: Felicia Williams
Felicia is currently a Commissioner on the City of Pasadena Planning Commission. Previous Commission appointments include Pasadena Center Operating Company that operates the civic auditorium, convention center, and Visitors Bureau;…...
Marshall Fundamental School: Matt Cobleigh
Born and raised in California, Matt Cobleigh always had an interest in the visual arts. After graduating from the USC School of Cinema-Television in 1992 with a degree in still…...
McKinley School: Monica Banken
Monica Banken is the Children’s and Social Services Deputy for Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, advising on issues related to foster youth, education, social services, workforce development, community services,…...
Norma Coombs Elementary: Richard Kidd
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who recently retired after nearly 30 years in a local private practice. I’m a Pasadena native and the product of PUSD schools,…...
Pasadena High School: Alejandra Font
Alejandra Font has over 10 years of experience in the health and fitness industry and has a deep passion for transforming people’s lives through health and fitness. Within the past…...
Pasadena High School: Lance Ito
Lance A. Ito was appointed to the Municipal Court of the Los Angeles Judicial District in December of 1987 by Governor George Deukmejian and served as a member of that…...
Roosevelt Elementary: Edgardo Gazcon
Edgardo Gazcon is one of Latin America’s most prominent stars with an acting career that spans cinema, television and theatre. He is a third generation member of a family who…...
Rose City High School: Charles Thompson, Jr.
Graduate of Appalachian State University-B.S. Communications/Marketing 1985 Business Manager/Marketing-Rose Bowl Stadium 1995-2004 Corp. Communications/Human Resources Manager-Rose Bowl Stadium 2004-2019 Managed Rose Bowl Stadium government and community relations -Trademark Licensing -Contract…...
San Rafael: Anita Flemington
My name is Anita Maria Flemington. I have been in education since 1975, specializing in bilingual education. I spent the first 21 years of my career in the K –…...
Sierra Madre Elementary: Robin Kinman
As way of a biography I have been in education since 1990. I’ve been a classroom teacher of 1,2, a 1-2 combination, 3, 4, 5 and 6 grades. I have…...
Sierra Madre Middle School: Nikhil Jain
Nikhil cofounded ObEN in 2014 out of a desire to leave a copy of himself behind to interact with their kids when they traveled. Nikhil leads ObEN with a vision…...
Washington Elementary STEM Magnet: Robyn Mizes
Robyn Mizes comes from a family of teachers, going back many generations; as a result she feels very deeply about investing in and supporting public schools. Robyn received her B.A.…...
Washington STEAM Multilingual Academy: Robert Hanna
Robert “Rob” Hanna works at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for the Engineering and Science Directorate as the lead for training and employee development for an organization of over 4200…...
Willard Elementary: Grace Fu
Dr. Grace Fu is the Physician-In-Charge of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Office Building located in Pasadena. She was born and raised in Southern California and attended public schools throughout her…...
Wilson Middle : Cheryl Moody
Cheryl Moody has been with the Pasadena Police Department for 27 years. Prior to joining the department, she served in the United States Air Force for 4 years. Cheryl began…...
“The children seemed so comfortable and happy. The school radiated positivity.
The Principal knew EVERYONE! It was an incredible experience.”
Principal for a Day 2018
-
Altadena Arts Magnet: Kaitlyn Nader
ALTADENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kait Nader is the Director of Community Engagement at the GRAMMY Museum, having just transitioned from her role as the Director of…...More
-
Andrew Jackson STEM Dual Languagle : Colleen Bates
Colleen Dunn Bates is the publisher of Prospect Park Books, one of the leading trade publishers in Southern California. Based in Altadena, Prospect Park publishes…...More
-
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School : Raj Sidhu
When Raj Sidhu quit his job last May to seriously pursue a board game idea (now Code Monkey Island) teaching kids how to think…...More
-
Blair IB Magnet School : Dr. Michael Than
Education: 2001 – BS, Clinical Laboratory Science, Loma Linda University 2005 – MD, Loma Linda University 2008 – Family Medicine Residency, Kaiser Permanente, Fontana 2008…...More
-
Charles W. Eliot Arts Magnet : Rita Ryack
“HAUTE COUTURE MEETS LUNACY” Rita Ryack was born in Boston, MA in the 20th century. She earned a BFA cum laude at Brandeis University, studied…...More
-
Cleveland Elementary School : Jill Girod
Jill was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, but her family moved to Sierra Madre in 1947 when she was three and they lived there until 1957…...More
-
Daniel Webster Elementary School : John Leano
John Leano was born and raised in Pasadena, California and attended PUSD schools from K-12 (Don Benito, Washington, Wilson and Marshall Fundamental). He has a…...More
-
Don Benito Fundamental School : Grant Hosford
Grant is an experienced entrepreneur who has spent the last 15 years building successful digital businesses in Seattle and Los Angeles. Grant has deep expertise…...More
-
Focus Point Academy : Kathryn Meagher
Kathryn Meagher grew up in Iowa and attended State College of Iowa. She moved to Pasadena in 1968, where she went to work at Ingham,…...More
-
Frances E. Willard Elementary School : Shelley Arakawa
A dedicated advocate and change agent, Shelley Arakawa’s work in both K-12 and college/university settings are evidence of her passion to promote efforts that strengthen…...More
-
Hamilton Elementary School : Keith & Margaret Russell
Thank you to Keith and Margaret Russell for their generous endowment gift of $500,000 to the Pasadena Educational Foundation. Their gift is the largest endowment…...More
-
Henry Longfellow Elementary School : James Howard
Born in Pasadena, I attended Cleveland Elementary, Washington Junior High and Pasadena High School. I attended U.C. Santa Barbara on both academic and athletic scholarships.…...More
-
James Madison Elementary School : Linda Morales
Linda Morales is a graduate of PHS, U.C. Berkeley, and Pacific Oaks College. She has worked as a school based counselor for Monrovia and Rosemead…...More
-
Jefferson Elementary School : Hilda Hernandez
EXPERIENCE BERKHSIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES, PASADENA 07/2001 TO PRESENT Realtor associate, represent sellers & buyers with the sale/purchase of property. Associate manager, assist the office manager…...More
-
John Marshall Fundamental School : Dr. Heather Brunold
Heather Heimerl Brunold has been a thought leader in education, specializing in adolescent development and family/school dynamics for more than two decades. After completing her…...More
-
John Marshall Fundamental School : Dorothy Blyskal
Dorothy Blyskal is the rebellious daughter of two writer-parents who pleaded with her never to become a writer. Her big break came from her adaptation…...More
-
John Muir High School : Dawn Marchand
Ms. Marchand is a seasoned business professional with over 15 years combined experience in Supplier Diversity, Sourcing & Procurement, Marketing, Auditing and Sustainability. She began…...More
-
Norma Coombs Elementary School : Brandon Shamim
Brandon Shamim is an award-winning strategist, entrepreneur, coach and leadership lecturer. For over 20 years his career spans the globe- working with leading Fortune 500s,…...More
-
Pasadena High School : Phil Hettema
Phil Hettema is the President and Creative Executive of The Hettema Group (THG). With a distinguished 30- year legacy in themed entertainment, Phil leads a…...More
-
Pasadena High School : Ted Ross
Ted Ross is passionate about the use of technology to improve the lives of Los Angeles’ four million residents, 500,000 businesses, and 48 million annual…...More
-
San Rafael Elementary School : Jason Lyon
D. Jason Lyon serves as Litigation Counsel to Pasadena’s oldest law firm, Hahn & Hahn LLP. His practice focuses on commercial, trust, and employment litigation.…...More
-
Sierra Madre Elementary School : Richard von Ernst
After many successful years in the entertainment industry I decided to change the definition of “location” in my life from living on location to location,…...More
-
Sierra Madre Middle School : Robyn Mizes
Robin Mizes comes from a family of teachers, going back to many generations. And, as a result, she feels very deeply about investing in and…...More
-
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary : Lori Gangemi
Lori Gangemi has been Chief Executive Officer of AbilityFirst since 2004. In this role, she leads a staff of 275 employees and has ultimate responsibility…...More
-
Washington Elementary STEM Magnet : Tim Hartley
Tim has been a full time real estate agent representing buyers and sellers in the Los Angeles area for over ten years. Tim has extensive…...More
-
Washington STEAM Magnet Academy : Craig Dayman
Craig and Frances Dayman have lived in Sierra Madre/Pasadena for 30 years. They have one son Blake who attended PUSD schools since kindergarten at Don…...More
-
Washington STEAM Magnet Academy : Frances Dayman
Craig and Frances Dayman have lived in Sierra Madre/Pasadena for 30 years. They have one son Blake who attended PUSD schools since kindergarten at Don…...More
-
William McKinley School : Erikk Aldridge
Erikk Aldridge is a Director in the AEG external affairs department and serves as the Director of STAPLES Center Foundation. AEG is one of the…...More
2018 guest principals included:
Judge Paul Watford – U.S Court of Appeals for Ninth Circuit, Steve Schell – Co-founder and CEO New Matter, Jennifer Hall Lee – Filmmaker, Elizabeth Jones – Institute for Educational Advancement, Felicia Williams – City of Pasadena Planning Commissioner, David Eads – Executive Director and CEO Pasadena Tournament of Roses, and State Senator Anthony Portantino.
After the day on campus, the 2018 class of “Principal for a Day” graduates will gather for a luncheon and meet other principals and community leaders at Altadena Town & Country Club to share their experiences. Jason Roberts, co-founder and Executive Director of the Math Academy, served as this year’s keynote speaker. Other speakers include, Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek, Senator Anthony Portantino, and PUSD Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald.
See our full list of 2017 Principals here.
Principal for a Day 2017
2017 guest principals included:
Judge Paul Watford – U.S Court of Appeals for Ninth Circuit, Steve Schell – Co-founder and CEO New Matter, Jennifer Hall Lee – Filmmaker, Elizabeth Jones – Institute for Educational Advancement, Felicia Williams – City of Pasadena Planning Commissioner, David Eads – Executive Director and CEO Pasadena Tournament of Roses, and State Senator Anthony Portantino.
After the day on campus, the 2017 class of “Principal for a Day” graduates will gather for a luncheon and meet other principals and community leaders at Altadena Town & Country Club to share their experiences. Jason Roberts, co-founder and Executive Director of the Math Academy, served as this year’s keynote speaker. Other speakers include, Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek, Senator Anthony Portantino, and PUSD Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald.
See our full list of 2017 Principals here.
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.
