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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 450 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.
Here’s are pics from our 2023 Principal for a Day!
Take a look at our amazing 2023 Principals for a Day:
Altadena Arts Magnet: Kay Tolentino
I advise buyers and sellers on residential real estate transactions in the greater Los Angeles region and its surrounding areas. I am the broker and owner of Trademark Real Estate,…(read more)
Blair IB Magnet: Dr. Giulia Corradetti
Giulia Corradetti, MD, is a retina specialist and Doheny Scientist at Doheny Image Reading and Research Lab (DIRRL), mentored by SriniVas R Sadda, MD. She received her medical degree (MD)…(read more)
Blair IB Magnet: Margaret Mgrublian
Margaret received her Mechanical Engineering degree from Cal State Northridge, which enabled her to have a career in international technical sales, – taking her to interesting places around the globe.…(read more)
CIS Academy: Portia Harris
Portia B. Harris is a board-certified Ayurveda Practitioner, founder of Healthy Self Ayurveda, and a staunch advocate for holistic healing. She emphasizes a holistic approach to well-being and draws on…(read more)
Don Benito Elementary: Randi Maurer
Randi Maurer is a highly accomplished attorney based in Pasadena, California, with a distinguished career spanning over three decades. She is known for her expertise in commercial contracts, with a…(read more)
Eliot Arts Magnet: Nic Arnzen
Councilmember Nic Arnzen was born and raised in Iowa farm country. He studied Theater and Business at Drake University before moving to Chicago to pursue acting. There he juggled doing…(read more)
Field Elementary: Mimi Carter
Mimi Carter is an entrepreneur and investor in early-stage companies. She is a partner at Carterus Strategies and former director of the Pasadena Angels, named one of the top 10…(read more)
Hamilton Elementary: Jason Lyon
District 7 Councilmember Jason Lyon was born in Kentucky, reared in North Carolina, and has lived in Southern California for 25 years (13 of them in Pasadena). Jason was elected…(read more)
Jackson Elementary: Richard Schulhof
Richard Schulhof, retired after 14 years of leading the acclaimed Southern California horticultural and historic site. In announcing that he would step down, Schulhof, said, “In a horticultural career that…(read more)
Longfellow Elementary: Dr. Manisha Javeri
I am a Professor and Co-ordinator in the Instructional Technology program at CSULA. I joined CSULA in 2003 after completing my Ph.D in Educational Technology from the University of Northern…(read more)
Madison Elementary: Lisa Barrios
Lisa Barrios, a lifelong Pasadena resident, has worked with local students and families in areas ranging from education, healthcare, foster care, and immigration, to mentoring and leadership development in the…(read more)
Marshall Fundamental: Jennifer Cheng
Jennifer is the Founder and Artistic Director of Dance Conservatory of Pasadena. She is a native of Pasadena. She was trained in ballet by renowned Stanley Holden. She received her…(read more)
McKinley School: Robert Michero
Robert Michero was born and raised in South Pasadena, California and has been a longtime Pasadena community volunteer. From an early age, Robert took to music after sharing a love…(read more)
Muir High School: Brenda Harvey-Williams
Harvey-Williams has been serving as the PRCS director since 2018 and has held various positions with increasing levels of responsibility since joining the City as an intern in 1987. Before…(read more)
Norma Coombs Elementary: Amara Ononiwu
Amara is an LA-based international executive coach with a passion for creating environments for leaders to explore what they are capable of. Her multi-cultural upbringing has fueled her imagination and…(read more)
Octavia E. Butler Academy: Greg Apodaca
Greg Apodaca is the Vision Holder, Chief Explorer and CEO of Community 2.0, a community benefit corporation. C 2.0’s Massive Transformative Purpose is, People and Earth In Balance. Greg is…(read more)
Pasadena High School: Alex Aghajanian
Pasadena Tournament of Roses® Association President Alex P. Aghajanian has been a volunteer Member of the Association since 1989. Aghajanian will serve as president for the 2024 Tournament of Roses,…(read more)
Rose City High School: Leo Cablayan
Leonardo Cablayan has more than 30 years of professional experience, primarily in the banking and nonprofit industries. His career includes a range of impressive leadership positions, including being the former…(read more)
San Rafael Elementary: Manuel Carmona
Manuel is driven by the idea that everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. He is the Acting Director for the City of…(read more)
Sierra Madre Elementary: Jose Reynoso
After an extensive recruitment process to find the next City Manager for Sierra Madre, the City Council has appointed Jose Reynoso to serve as the next City Manager. Mr. Reynoso…(read more)
Sierra Madre Middle: Valerie Mendoza
I think I was always going to be someone whose language was acts of service and balancing career with community service. A lot of times I knew I wanted to…(read more)
Washington Elementary: Kenneth Farley
Kenneth A. Farley is a noble gas isotope geochemist and Professor of Geochemistry at the California Institute of Technology. He holds the W. M. Keck Foundation professorship and was the…(read more)
Webster Elementary: Carla Hegwood
Bringing a decade of diverse domestic and global public health experience to the job, Carla Hegwood has been hired as coordinator of Pasadena’s newly created Office of the Young Child.…(read more)
Willard Elementary: Cindy Bengston
Cindy retired after 30 years of leadership positions with ARCO/BP and devotes her time to community service. At age 25 she created Big Sisters of Los Angeles. 45 years later,…(read more)
Take a look at our previous classes of Principals for a Day:
Principal for a Day 2022
Principal for a Day 2019
Principal for a Day 2018
Principal for a Day 2017
What’s New
Embracing Community and Culture: Warner Bros. Discovery’s Mural Project at Webster ElementaryThe Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) partnered with [More]
Pasadena Educational Foundation Hosts a SciTech Roundtable [Media Release]Industry leaders, city officials, and educators gathered at [More]
Real Estate Agents: Get PUSD Certified October 2, 2024
Reflecting on Important Lessons Learned as a PEF Youth LeaderEach summer Pasadena Educational Foundation’s Youth [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.
