(L-R) Veronica Villagrana and John Maynard (Photo – PUSD)
Two Pasadena Unified School District educators were promoted!
By News Desk
Veronica Villagrana is the new principal of Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary and John Maynard is the new principal of Don Benito Fundamental Elementary.
Veronica Villagrana
Veronica Villagrana has served as assistant principal at Willard and Sierra Madre Elementary for the past two years. Before that, she was a Teacher on Special Assignment/Instructional EL Coach for five years. She began her career as a classroom teacher at Altadena Elementary School. She replaces Mrs. Rita Exposito, who retired after a 35+ year career as an educator.
John Maynard
John Maynard has served in PUSD for 24 years as a teacher, Behavioral Response to Intervention Coach, and assistant principal at Altadena Elementary, Eliot Middle School, and McKinley K-8. Most recently, he has served as assistant principal at Altadena/Eliot Arts Magnets, overseeing day-to-day operations at the elementary site. He replaces Dr. Merle Bugarin who is returning to serve English Learners at the district level.
Congratulations to both new Principals. I taught music at Jackson School for many years. I am also thrilled to see the new name for Jackson, Mary W. Jackson. It replaces the name of a slave owner Andrew Jackson, also a former U. S. President. His main claim to fame was defeating a British military unit in the War of 1812 after the war was ended. As President he drove the effort to move indigenous people off their ancestral lands. The effort lead to the death of untold numbers of native people.