Principal for a Day

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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.

Take a look at our amazing 2026 Principals for a Day:

Altadena Arts Magnet: Keith Wyffels

Associate Vice President, Education, The Music Center Keith Wyffels is an arts education leader who serves as the Associate Vice President of Education at The Music Center in Los Angeles. He brings 20 years of arts education experience, working with school and district leaders, educators,…(read more)

Don Benito Elementary: Sarah Wilson

Senior Director of Education, Autry Museum of the American West Sarah Wilson joined the Autry in 2013 and has held positions in both the Curatorial and Education departments. She has worked on Revolutionary Vision: Group f/64 and Richard Misrach Photographs from the Bank of America…(read more)

Blair Middle School: David Reyes

General Manager, Pasadena Water & Power David Reyes joined the City of Pasadena in 2012 as the Planning and Community Development Department’s Zoning Administrator. He was promoted to Deputy Director in 2013 and became Department Director in 2016. In 2023, he was appointed Assistant City…(read more)

Blair High School: Elias Garcia

Government & Community Relations Manager, Kaiser Permanente Elias Garcia is Government & Community Relations Manager at Kaiser Permanente. His background includes public policy and regional advocacy, with previous service as Senior Policy Manager at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. At the Chamber, his…(read more)

Don Benito Fundamental: Rian Barrett

Chief Executive Officer, Pasadena-Foothills REALTORS® Rian Barrett serves as CEO of the Pasadena-Foothills Association of REALTORS® (PFAR), bringing more than 16 years of experience in real estate, public policy, and association management. Prior to joining PFAR, she spent a decade with the California Association of…(read more)

Eliot Arts / McKinley: Michael Ocon

Executive Director, Eaton Fire Collaborative Michael Ocon is Executive Director of the Eaton Fire Collaborative, coordinating long-term recovery efforts across Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and surrounding communities. Previously the Collaborative’s inaugural Board Secretary, he now leads a network of more than 200 organizations supporting fire…(read more)

Field Elementary: Dr. Alexandra Graddy-Reed

Associate Professor at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and Director of Research at USC’s Center on Philanthropy & Public Policy Alexandra Graddy-Reed is an Associate Professor at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and Director of Research at USC’s Center…(read more)

Hamilton Elementary: Emily Suñez

Reading Interventionist / Co-Founder & Outreach Director, Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network Emily Suñez is a reading teacher, disability advocate and artist. She co-founded the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network, a nonprofit supporting Californians with autonomic nervous system disorders. Emily also runs a private practice as a…(read more)

Hamilton Elementary: Michelle Constantine

Chair, Integrated Studies, ArtCenter College of Design Michelle Constantine is an artist, designer, and educator who serves as Chair of Integrated Studies and Associate Professor at ArtCenter College of Design. She works primarily in mixed media, printmaking, and letterpress. Her artwork draws inspiration from everyday…(read more)

Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet: Dr. Gary Hardie Jr.

Education Strategy and Public Affairs Leader, DLR Group Dr. Gary Hardie Jr. is an Education Strategy and Public Affairs Leader at DLR Group, where his work has included K–12 business development in Southern California. He has served on the Lynwood Unified School District Board of…(read more)

Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet: Mark Rettig

Vice President, Kemp Bros. Construction Mark Rettig is Vice President of Kemp Bros. Construction, where he works with estimating and operations teams to develop business opportunities and expand the company’s use of design-build and construction management approaches. His background includes commercial construction, real estate, investment,…(read more)

John Muir High School: Anette Padilla

Director, Community Foundation & Social Impact, AEG Anette Padilla is Director of Community Foundation & Social Impact at AEG. Her responsibilities include charitable investments, employee volunteer programs, nonprofit partnerships, and support for local government relations. She began her career in sales and marketing in sports…(read more)

Longfellow Elementary: Tim McDonald

Library Director, Pasadena Public Library, City of Pasadena Tim McDonald leads Pasadena’s Department of Libraries and Information Services. He joined the city in 2016 and was appointed Director in 2023 after serving as Acting Director. His earlier work with the Las Vegas–Clark County Library District…(read more)

Madison Elementary: Eva Rivera

Coordinator, City of Pasadena, Office of the Young Child Eva Rivera brings over two decades of experience in early childhood policy, program management, and systems change. As Coordinator of Pasadena’s Office of the Young Child, she collaborates with educators, advocates, and families to optimize program…(read more)

Norma Coombs Elementary: David Moon

Regional Sales Manager, Lakeshore Learning Materials David Moon is a Regional Sales Manager with over 10 years of sales and leadership experience. He specializes in developing strategic partnerships with K-12 school districts, driving revenue growth, and leading teams to exceed performance goals. Throughout his career…(read more)

Octavia E. Butler: Anton Anderson

Councilmember / Principal, Altadena Town Council / Productivity Consulting Anton Anderson is a member of the Altadena Town Council and Principal of Productivity Consulting. He founded his technology consultancy in 1989 and has more than three decades of technology and design experience. Anton graduated from…(read more)

Pasadena High School: Jen García

AI Advisor / Founder, Caltech CTME / Ingrained Jen García advises and teaches AI programs at Caltech’s Center for Technology and Management Education and is the founder of Ingrained.ai, where she trains professionals across business, education, government, and social impact to use AI tools with…(read more)

Pasadena High School: Sam Sahand

Associate Principal, Flewelling & Moody Sam Sahand is Associate Principal at Flewelling & Moody, an employee-owned architectural design firm with offices in Pasadena and Lancaster. His career includes designing educational buildings and campuses, with an emphasis on natural light, views, and connections between indoor and…(read more)

Rose City / PALS / Twilight Adult School / CIS: Debra Ward

Chief Executive Officer, YWCA San Gabriel Valley Debra M. Ward is the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA San Gabriel Valley, a multi-service nonprofit serving the greater San Gabriel Valley region. Under her leadership, the agency delivers vital services to the most vulnerable, such as older…(read more)

San Rafael Elementary: Margaret Hunt

Chief Executive Officer, Hunt Philanthropic Margaret Hunt is a nonprofit leader and fundraising consultant with more than 30 years of experience in the sector. She led the $625 million campaign to build and open The Shed, New York City’s largest cultural startup, and held senior…(read more)

Sierra Madre Elementary: Dr. Monica Hunter

Executive Director and Department Chair for Early Childhood Education, Pacific Oaks College Dr. Monica Hunter is Executive Director and Department Chair for Early Childhood Education at Pacific Oaks College. She also founded Monica Hunter Consulting, a practice specializing in organizational leadership and development. Her consulting…(read more)

Sierra Madre Middle School: Jessica Soto

Public Engagement Specialist, Carnegie Science Observatories Jessica Soto is the Public Engagement Specialist at Carnegie Science Observatories, where she develops programs connecting astronomical research with students, educators, and the public. Previously, she spent eight years at Mount Wilson Observatory as the STEM Strategies Coordinator. She…(read more)

Thurgood Marshall Secondary: Lindsay Amstutz

President, Los Angeles Thunder Lindsay Amstutz is President of the Los Angeles Thunder, leading business operations and growth strategy as the Major League Volleyball franchise prepares for its inaugural 2027 season. A Los Angeles native, she brings more than two decades of experience across professional…(read more)

Washington Elementary STEM Magnet: Andrew Molina

Director of Operations, Mathnasium Andrew Molina is Director of Operations for U10 Corporation, overseeing five Mathnasium learning centers. He began working with Mathnasium in 2016 after earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of San Diego. His experience includes serving as a math…(read more)

Willard Elementary: Trey Sorensen

Battalion Chief, Pasadena Fire Department Trey Sorensen has been a firefighter for 25 years. He was an arson investigator for 10 years, having investigated more than 1,000 fires. As part of his role, he functions as a tactical paramedic on the Pasadena Police SWAT team.…(read more)

Take a look at our previous classes of Principals for a Day:

Principal for a Day 2025
Principal for a Day 2024
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

The Armenian Academy’s Visit to the AGBU Performing Arts Center
A few months ago students in the Armenian Academy at Blair [More]
Book Taco for Everyone: A New Tool for Sierra Madre Middle School
The best reading programs don’t just get students through [More]
Gillian Jacobs Plays for Eliot Arts Magnet
Actress and director Gillian Jacobs recently appeared on [More]
Boasting Our Bulldogs with Marian Pena
Marian Pena, a Teacher on Special Assignment at Pasadena [More]

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