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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.

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!

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2019 Principal for a Day

Altadena Arts Magnet: Sylvia Vega

Realtor Keller Williams Realty

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

Author

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

Project Manager Kaiser Permanente

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

V.P. and Chief Diversity Officer ArtCenter College of Design

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

Physician Kaiser Permanente

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

Mayor City of Sierra Madre

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

Anchor, Producer and Award-Winning Journalist

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

Spacecraft Operations Engineer NASA/JPL

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

Medical Doctor Huntington Hospital

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

Captain Altadena Station LA County Sheriff's Department

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…...

Hamilton Elementary: Brian Mann

...

Jackson STEM Dual Language Magnet: Sara Hatch

President Junior League of Pasadena, Inc.

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

Executive Pastor Pasadena Presbyterian Church

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

Rector All Saints Episcopal Church

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

AVP/Branch Manager Wells Fargo Bank

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

Author

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

Producer, Writer, and Director

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

Commissioner on the City of Pasadena Planning Commission

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

Photographer

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

Children and Social Services Deputy Kathryn Barger 5th District Supervisor

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

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Retired

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

CEO The Camp Transformation Center

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

Judge, Retired Los Angeles Superior Court

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

Board Member/Partnership Specialist QueensCare & 2020 Census

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.

Human Resources Manager Rose Bowl Operating Company

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

Professor of Education

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

Former School Teacher

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

CEO ObEN, Inc.

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

Public Education Advocate

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

Strategic Planner JPL

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…...

Webster Elementary: Ervin Galvan

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Willard Elementary: Grace Fu

Physician Kaiser Permanente

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

Chief of Police Pasadena Police Department

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.”

29
School Principals
36
Community and Business Leaders
17000
Students
4
Hours

Principal for a Day 2018

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.

DONATE!